Water News Wednesday
This week has been a very good week for water. Yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution that recognizes clean water as a national priority, and today Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation that requires water bottlers to provide essential water quality information to consumers. Considering that the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act is tomorrow, October 18th, it looks like we’re heading on the right path for clean and safe water for all.

The resolution passed last night celebrates the progress made since the passage of the Clean Water Act, yet acknowledges the funding crisis our clean water infrastructure is currently facing. We’re glad that Congress stepped up to the plate on this important issue, but as we highlighted in our recent report on clean water infrastructure, what Congress really needs to do is move funding for water out of the contentious appropriations cycle and ensure stable funding for future generations through a clean water trust fund. A clean water trust fund would provide a steady, reliable, and equitable source of funding for needed infrastructure investment across the country. (Find out if your Representative is a clean water leader and say thanks to those who are here!)

On the state level, it looks like California is cracking down on the bottled water industry. As mentioned in an article by Susan Wheeler at WaterTechOnline, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a state senate bill that requires the name and contact information for the bottler or brand owner, in addition to the source of the water, be printed on the bottle label. This will give consumers the opportunity to make informed decisions when purchasing bottled water (considering 40% of bottled water is really just tap water!) The bill will also increase the annual license fee for a water-vending machine from $10.25 to $40.

Although the bill won’t take effect until January 1, 2009, the timing couldn’t have been better. This month we should acknowledge the important steps taken since 1972, and focus on what our government officials need to do to ensure America has clean and safe water for the next thirty-five years and beyond.

- Erin Greenfield
email • bio