Friday March 11, 2005
AWWA Informs Congress of Ongoing Efforts to Address Lead in Drinking Water

Source: American Water Works Association

"Since AWWA testified to this Committee in May last year, we have organized workshops, webcasts, and sessions at national and regional conferences on managing lead exposure," said Stephen Estes-Smargiassi, director of planning at Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, who delivered the AWWA testimony. "Our peer-reviewed journal has published new research. We direct mailed information to raise member utility awareness about lead in drinking water at homes and in schools, as well as incorporated practical advise on addressing lead into our routine publications. We have also taken a number of steps beyond raising awareness about the lead in drinking water issue."

The complete testimony is available at http://www.awwa.org/Advocacy/govtaff/govnew.cfm.

Estes-Smargiassi spoke about several of AWWA's ongoing initiatives, including:

• The development of materials to help drinking water utilities proactively evaluate changes in treatment or operations that minimize the possibility of lead leaching into drinking water.
• The creation of a guide that encourages public water systems to undertake full lead service line replacement and provides guidance on how to develop such a program.
• The development of consumer information to raise public awareness about lead in drinking water.
• Preparation of a guide that provides drinking water suppliers with information and tools they may use to assist school and child care administrators in addressing lead in drinking water.

Other witnesses who testified at the hearing included: Benjamin H. Grumbles, acting assistant administrator, USEPA Office of Water; Donald S. Welch, regional administrator, Region III, USEPA; Thomas P. Jacobus, general manager, Washington Aqueduct, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Jerry Johnson, general manager, District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority; Erik D. Olson, senior attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council, and James R. Elder, independent consultant.

AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of drinking water in North America and beyond. AWWA is the largest organization of water professionals in the world. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the drinking water community. Through our collective strength we become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment.

Contact: 
Greg Kail
303-734-3410

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