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| Wilson Challenges EPA to Assist Communities Reduce Arsenic Levels in Drinking Water |
April 11, 2002 |
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Washington, DC-In a hearing on arsenic standards and drinking water quality, Congresswoman Heather Wilson today issued a challenge to Dan Grumbles, Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to help communities with the costs of reducing arsenic levels in drinking water. Higher levels of arsenic occur naturally in the water systems of western states. These states, including New Mexico, will bear a greater financial burden in meeting the new EPA arsenic standard of 10 parts per billion (ppb), which is a dramatic reduction from the current 50 ppb. By law, the new standard is to take effect in 2006.
Wilson has introduced a bill, The Community Drinking Water Assistance Act, to authorize the creation of a new EPA grant program to provide direct assistance to communities that will be forced to comply with stricter arsenic drinking water standards. The bill would authorize $1.9 billion, between 2002-2006, for the grants.
“It is only fair to ask that the government put itself in a position to offer financial assistance to these communities so that they can make the necessary repairs in their water systems to comply with this law,” said Wilson. “The costs of complying with stricter new standards could well put small rural systems out of business.”
The New Mexico Environment Department estimates that at 10 ppb, approximately 25 percent of New Mexico`s water systems will be affected by the new standards. The price tag for compliance would fall between $400 million and $500 million in initial capital expenditures. Annual operating costs could vary anywhere between $16 million and $21 million. Additionally, large water system users would see an average water bill increase between $38 and $42 a month, and small system users would see an average water bill increase of $91 monthly.
This funding would allow communities to implement compliance projects, obtain technical assistance, and train and certify system operators. Albuquerque and communities serving less than 200,000 people, as well as American Indian tribes, would be eligible for funding.
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