David Miller, October 10, 2018
Columbus, Ohio — The following statement can be attributed in full, or in part, to Kristy Meyer, Vice President of Natural Resources Policy at the Ohio Environmental Council:
“Today, Congress passed a bill that will help Ohio tackle threats to drinking water, like lead and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). America’s Water Infrastructure Act provides grants to schools and daycares to test for lead contamination in their drinking water, and requires the EPA to assist public water utilities in monitoring for PFAS, dangerous substances that can cause cancer. Traces of PFAS have been found in the drinking water sources of Dayton, Little Hocking, Belpre, Marietta, and Putnam.
“The legislation also increased federal funding to upgrade drinking and wastewater infrastructure. Ohio has a $26 billion need over the next 20 years to upgrade failing water infrastructure across the state. Over the last few decades, we have seen a rapid decrease in federal funding for water infrastructure, and this bill helps fill a desperate need.
“We commend Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman for their continued efforts to protect Ohio’s drinking water.”