|
|
|
| You are here: DOH Home » News Releases Home » 04-141 |
For immediate release: December 16, 2004 (04-141)
Contacts: Leslie Thorpe, Office
of Drinking Water 360-236-3098
Kate Lynch, Communications Office 360-236-4072
Washington marks 30th anniversary of federal Safe Drinking Water Act
OLYMPIA ¾ Thirty years ago today, on December 16, 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act, the main federal law that assures safety in drinking water. As a result, more than 5 million people in Washington receive high-quality drinking water every day from more than 4,100 public and private water systems.
Still, safe drinking water can’t be taken for granted. Worldwide, water shortages and waterborne disease kill almost seven million people a year, according to the World Health Organization.
"Because of the choice our nation made 30 years ago, the citizens of Washington now enjoy some of the safest and most reliable water in the world," said Denise Clifford, director of the Washington Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water. A tremendous amount has been accomplished over the past three decades to ensure the safety of drinking water for our citizens:
Since 1974, the United States has dramatically increased the number of individuals and communities receiving water that meets public health standards.
In 1978, fewer than half of Washington’s water systems were adequately monitoring for bacteria. Now, fully 95 percent of systems are meeting all requirements of the Act.
The number of regulated drinking water contaminants has grown from about two dozen in 1974 to almost 100 in 2004, while the number of waterborne disease outbreaks has dropped nationally and continues to stay low. Here in Washington, the Department of Health receives fewer than three reports of waterborne disease outbreaks per year.
Since 1996, Washington has provided more than $200 million in federal and state funds to local water systems to make drinking water infrastructure improvements.
The Safe Drinking Water Act applies to any water system that serves 25 or more people. It requires water utilities to perform careful testing and monitoring from the time water is withdrawn from its source, through treatment, to its eventual delivery to homes, schools and businesses.
The Office of Drinking Water is responsible for administering the Act’s requirements. "But we can’t do it alone," said Clifford. "We work closely with officials at the federal, state and local levels, with water suppliers and everyone who has a vested interest in safe, reliable drinking water – in other words, all of us."
The Department of Health credits the hard work of Washington’s water system and treatment plant operators for part of this success story. Operators keep the systems running and are responsible to test and treat the water. They’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week if something goes wrong. It’s a tough, often thankless job, but their work is absolutely essential to keeping our water safe.
Assuring safe, reliable drinking water will always be difficult. Nationally, there is an ongoing challenge to keep industrial contaminants out of our drinking water. Small communities must balance the economics of operating and maintaining a water system, especially when the system begins to age. Increasing competition for water resources will require society to make tough choices and communities to adopt new approaches to water conservation. And emerging security threats such as bioterrorism must be considered.
"The 30-year anniversary of this law is a great time to reflect on the miracle of turning on the tap and getting safe and abundant water," said Janice Adair, assistant secretary, Environmental Health Programs. "Today, we renew our commitment to build on the successes of the past 30 years and continue to work with all of our partners to assure safe and reliable water for the people of Washington."
The Department of Health drinking water (http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/default.htm) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (http://www.epa.gov/safewater/sdwa/index.html) Web sites have more information.
###
DOH Home | Access Washington | Privacy Notice | Disclaimer/Copyright Information
 |
Contact Information for the Department of Health Last
Update :
03/05/2009 08:38 PM
|