Today, no one knows for certain whether certain hazardous pollutants and chemicals are in their drinking water, because many states, including New Jersey, do not test for them.  Andrews’ initiative will make these tests mandatory in every state, so that drinking water is held to a higher standard nationwide. The Andrews Plan will provide states with $85 million in new funding to more strictly safeguard drinking water.

“More and more people are getting their drinking water from surface water systems rather than wells.  We must hold our surface water tributaries to the same strict tests and standards that we hold our wells,” said Andrews.  “I have introduced a bill that would provide for more federal funding to increase the frequency and quality of tests of all potential sources of drinking water around the country.”

Andrews demonstrated water quality tests of the Almonesson Lake by taking a boat to a deep portion of the lake and collecting water samples for lab testing.  Prior preliminary Department of Health tests at this site have revealed the presence of such high concentrations of fecal bacteria that Almonesson Lake is unsafe for fishing and swimming.  Although Almonesson Lake is not a source of drinking water, today’s demonstration dramatizes the need for better tests of the thousands of lakes, rivers, and streams that supply South Jerseyans with the water they drink.

Under the Andrews Plan, state governments would be required to use the funding to conduct drinking water safety inspections that are not mandatory today.  The new Federal grants would be used to pay for the following priority tests under the Safe Water Drinking Act:
1. Tests of surface water for nine specific chemical contaminants: Chlorothalanil, Pendimethalin, Paraquest, Cyanazine, Bensulide, Chlorpyrifos, Diazanon, Metalaxyl, and Mecoprop.
2. Tests of surface water for general contamination
3. Tests of residential drinking wells
4. Tests of contaminated soil

Andrews is also the author of The Environmental Priorities Trust Fund of 1999 (H.R.341).  Andrews’ legislation would provide a new, stable source of funding for environmental projects by establishing a fund for environmental priorities.  For example, local governments seeking to build wastewater treatment plants or organize river clean-ups would be eligible for financing support.  A variety of other environmental projects would also be eligible.  The fund’s income would be tied to the ongoing move toward electricity deregulation.  Studies predict that allowing consumers to choose their electricity company will lower monthly bills by approximately 10 %.  By recapturing a small percentage of those savings, the fund creates a dedicated source of financing for environmental improvements.

Earlier in the day, Andrews held a town meeting with the Burlington, Camden and Gloucester County Municipal and County Environmental Commissions as well as the three county Solid Waste Commissions, in order to learn from them about local environmental issues.  Next, he addressed the students at the Magnolia Public School on the importance of keeping communities clean and joined the young people in planting a tree.  Andrews also toured Stone and Webster of Cherry Hill, a leading local company which cleans up toxic waste.  Andrews also toured a new home in Camden which is a model for energy efficiency, to highlight a federal program which encourages homeowners to save energy.  Congressman Andrews concluded his day by teaching an environmental class at Gloucester County Community College, discussing new laws to clean and protect the air we breathe and the water we drink.
 
 

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