Water supply and water quality are critical issues in many areas of Florida, as our population of over 15 million continues to grow at a rate of over 700 new residents each day. Floridians are highly dependent on ground water for their drinking water supplies, with only 19 of 7000 water systems using surface water. Small systems serving fewer than 500 people make up 6400 of Florida's 7000 water systems. Naturally occurring radon is also an issue in some areas of my state.
I'd like to commend the Environmental Protection Agency for their success to date in meeting the deadlines set forth in the 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act, and for their efforts to work with the states and other stakeholders in implementing this important program. Clean and safe drinking water is taken for granted by many Americans, thanks to the efforts of local water suppliers with the guidance and support of the states and the EPA. There are many challenges ahead as EPA, the states, and water suppliers pursue an aggressive schedule to conduct necessary research, develop new regulations, upgrade our infrastructure, and educate consumers about the quality of their drinking water.
The 1996 amendments call for consideration of risk to human health as well as costs of implementation in the setting of new drinking water standards. Much new research is needed on occurance of contaminants, health effects, and treatment technologies in order to ensure that standards are based on sound science. I encourage EPA to work closely with Congress to set research priorities and assign adequate resources to these important activities.
State agencies are on the front lines of implementation of Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. The 1996 amendments allow flexibility for states to choose the most effective approaches that are appropriate for citizens of each state, with guidance and support provided by EPA. The alternative multimedia approach to radon regulation currently under consideration is an example of innovative environmental management that I'd like to encourage.
Small water supply systems provide drinking water for many Americans, particularly in more sparsely populated areas of the country. These systems and their consumers have limited resources available for implementation of new regulations. EPA and the states need to work together to provide information and technical and financial assistance to small systems so that the health of rural water consumers is adequately protected at an affordable cost.
I look forward to today's discussions. Thank you.