Press Releases

Water Utilities Exempt From Additional Department of Homeland Security Chemical Regulation

WASHINGTON, DC, September 29, 2006 – House and Senate negotiators reached an agreement this week regarding language to be used in the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill of 2007 that exempts water utilities from additional and redundant chemical security regulation under the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) chemical security program. Drinking water providers already comply with extensive State and Federal security regulations mandated by Congress and overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The water industry contended that thousands of drinking water and wastewater systems have already conducted comprehensive vulnerability assessments, updated their emergency response plans to account for terrorist attacks and other emergencies, and improved security at their facilities.

The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) and water association supporters worked closely with members of Congress on the water utility exemption. The support of Senators George Voinovich (R-OH) and James Inhofe (R-OK), as well as 34 other lawmakers, was instrumental in removing water utilities from the bill.

“I applaud the Committee Chairs for wisely exempting water utilities in the Department of Homeland Security’s chemical security legislation. We are fully regulated in this area under the oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency, and this additional regulation would have been redundant and incredibly inefficient,” said Peter Cook, Executive Director of the National Association of Water Companies, NAWC.

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