Congressman Tim Ryan Applauds Passage of Bill to Address Lead Pipe Water Crisis

Press Release

Congressman Tim Ryan today votes in favor of the Safe Drinking Water Act Improved Compliance Awareness Act (HR4470) -- which he introduced with Congressmen Dan Kildee (D-MI) and Fred Upton (R-MI) last week. This bill is in response to safe drinking water emergencies like we are seeing in Sebring, Ohio and Flint, Michigan. It passed the House by a vote of 416 -- 2.

"Safety is, and always will be, my number one priority. It is outrageous that those in Sebring and Flint were knowingly and blatantly put in danger by the very people who were supposed to be protecting their wellbeing. I am proud of the swift and deliberate action of the House of Representatives to pass this important legislation. Clean drinking water is not a privilege but a right for all Americans. There is more to be done and I will do everything in my power to resolve the current crisis and ensure that we resolve and rectify the root of the problem," said Congressman Ryan.

This legislation will strengthen requirements to have the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) step in to notify the public when concentrations of lead in drinking water are above federal requirements. It requires the EPA to create a strategic plan for handling and improving information flow between water utilities, the states, the EPA, and affected consumers. It also ensures consumer notification when the corrosiveness of water being transported in a lead pipe could leak into public drinking water.

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