Schwartz Water Quality Bill Passes House

From the inbox on 3/12:

The House of Representatives passed today a plan sponsored by U.S Representative Allyson Schwartz (PA-13) to study the presences of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the U.S. water supply.

The proposal was approved as an amendment to the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009 (WQIA).

Schwartz, along with Representatives Carolyn McCarthy, Tammy Baldwin and Jay Inslee, fought to include this provision in the bill as a follow up to an effort last year to bring national attention to an Associated Press report that traces of pharmaceuticals were found in the drinking water of more than 41 million Americans. Although no pharmaceuticals were found at levels that threatened human health, their presence raised many concerns from environmental and public health advocates.

“Clean, safe drinking water is a right for all Americans,” Rep. Schwartz said. “The presence of pharmaceuticals in our drinking water is deeply troubling. My amendment will hopefully serve as a starting point for all stakeholders to find innovative ways to clean our water.”

The amendment would specifically require the Environmental Protection Agency to report back to Congress on the effects of pharmaceuticals and personal care products on human health and aquatic wildlife. The report will also include recommendations on ways to control, limit, treat, and prevent these elements from entering our ecosystem.

The WQIA, which passed the House by a vote of 317 to 101, would reauthorize the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. This EPA-administered program provides assistance to local and state governments to improve storm and wastewater systems.

WQIA and Schwartz’s plan must now be passed by the U.S. Senate before they can be sent to the President to be signed into law.