Date: 2006-05-02
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I would like first to extend my appreciation to the leadership of the International Relations Committee. particularly Chairman HYDE and the ranking member. Mr. LANTOS. and the subcommittee people for working with me to advance this measure. I would also like to thank Mr. BLUMENAUER for serving as my partner on this resolution. Mr. Speaker. H. Res. 658 supports the goals and ideals of World Water Day. an initiative born out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. The day is to be observed consistent with the recommendations called for by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Developments Fresh Water Resources Agenda which urges the protection of the quality and supply of fresh water resources. While I am aware that the official date recognizing World Water Day has passed. it is my respectful view that raising public awareness regarding one of the Earths most precious resources should be yearround. Water is vital to human life. as a matter of fact. all life. and although it is the most widely occurring substance on Earth. it is important to note that only approximately 2 percent of all water is fresh water. As various forms of pollution and sprawl continue to adversely impact our fresh water supplies. it is imperative now more than ever that the importance of integrated water resources development and conservation and improving the overall quality of life here in the United States and across the globe be highlighted. Each day. millions of Americans turn to their faucets and their bottles for fresh drinking water. rarely giving a thought to the current demands our water supplies and infrastructure face. Yet while many Americans may think that water resource and development challenges are particularly associated with lessdeveloped countries. it is important to note that the United States is not immune from some of the same challenges. In -1972. this body enacted the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. commonly known as the Clean Water Act. : The act promised that all Americans would have access to healthy waterways and clean drinking water. Although considerable progress has been made since enactment of this legislation to ensure the integrity of our water. many challenges persist as initiatives to comprehensively overhaul the act have stalled. The Nations wastewater treatment infrastructure. typically the first line of defense in keeping harmful pollutants out of our fresh water supplies. is in desperate need of investment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency. as much as $390 billion will be nedded over the next two decades to rebuild. repair. and upgrade the Nations wastewater treatment infrastructure. Controlling the discharge of toxic pollutants such as heavy metals and inorganic chemicals into our waterways is also becoming an increasing challenge. -. -0 1615 Data reported by the EPA indicates that 39 percent of river aid stream miles assessed by States and45 percent of assessed lake acreage do not meet the applicable water quality standards and are impaired for one or more desired uses. Further. approximately 95.000 lakes and 544.000 river miles in the United States are under fishconsumption advisories due to chemical contaminants in lakes. rivers. and coastal waters. As of 2003. mercury. a contaminant of increasing concern. has forced 45 States to issue partial or statewide fish and shellfish consumption advisories. As the ranking member on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee. I feel strongly that our water policy needs a strong set of government standards and safeguards to continue to protect public health and safety. We should build on our achievements made possible by innovations. like the Clean Water Act. and not turn our back on them. Congress should reaffirm and restore the Clean Water Act. which has made our water valuable for drinking. fishing. swimming and other economically vital uses for over 30 years. The Nations future generations are depending on us. For our childrens sake. it is important that we place responsible stewardship of our Nations water resources and water infrastructure back on our priorities for our Nation. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. There are metropolitan areas now that advise people not to drink the public water.