Today the Committee considers legislation aimed at a growing problem for many of our older cities, the problem of water pollution caused by Combined Sewer Overflows.
In my own State of New Jersey, Combined Sewer Overflows are one of the most serious environmental threats to water quality. My state has a very large number of combined sewer systems -- 25. And New Jersey's cities send combined wastewater and rainwater into our waterways at 281 discharge points.
My own hometown of Paterson is one of the cities struggling to upgrade its sewage treatment system and prevent urban runoff into the Passaic River.
During heavy rainstorms, the sewage and rainwater that cannot be treated by the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission's plant are diverted to the systems of 7 cities along the Passaic River, including Paterson, Newark, and Jersey City. As a result, much of this untreated waste is then discharged directly into the Passaic River.
EPA deserves credit for working closely with the States and municipalities to implement the combined sewer overflow control policy. However, the cities need more help. Many of the strategies they will need to adopt - the so-called "best management practices" required by EPA -- are going to cost more than our cities or our states alone can bear.
The costs of these controls, in fact, are staggering. Paterson, Jersey City, and Elizabeth each estimate that their CSO control plans will cost over $20 million. And New Jersey's share of the Clean Water Act's State Revolving Fund program is scarcely more than $50 million.
The cities applying for funds for their CSO projects must compete with cities upgrading to accomplish secondary treatment goals. Clearly, the federal government can, and should, do more.
I commend Senator Voinovich for introducing a bill to address the funding shortfall in the State Revolving Fund program.
This is an important first step in assisting municipalities charged with one of the most critical environmental protection missions. And, I agree with Senator Smith that we need to find additional resources to address the serious problem of combined sewer overflows.
Mr. Chairman, I thank you for holding this important hearing and I look forward to the testimony from our witnesses today.