WaterNews for July 22, 1999

WaterNews is a weekly on-line publication that announces publications, policies, and activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water.

Inside this week's WaterNews:

1) Drinking Water Information Public Service Announcement Campaign
2) Assistant Administrator Testifies Before Senate on Coastal Issues
3) Pretreatment Regulations Streamlining

1) Drinking Water Information Public Service Announcement Campaign

EPA unveiled public service announcements to let consumers know that they will soon receive important new information on the safety of their local drinking water. The new right-to-know information called a *Consumer Confidence Report* is required by the 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. Between now and October, most Americans will receive notices from their drinking water suppliers providing information on the quality of local drinking water supplies, the potential health effects of contaminants exceeding public health standards, where water comes from, and where consumers can get additional information.

EPA is providing free radio and print ads to the media, the drinking water community, and other interested parties to alert consumers to the availability of drinking water reports. Information on the public service announcements is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/psa.html on the Internet.

2) Assistant Administrator Testifies Before Senate on Coastal Issues

Today, Assistant Administrator J. Charles Fox testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on EPA programs for protecting estuaries, coastal waters, and oceans. The Assistant Administrator also commented on pending legislation to protect and restore these natural resources. For the full testimony, visit http://www.epa.gov/ocirpage/testimony/072299cf.htm on the Internet.

3) Streamlining the General Pretreatment Regulations for Existing and New Sources of Pollution

Today, EPA is proposing to revise several provisions of the General Pretreatment Regulations that address restrictions on and oversight of industrial users who introduce pollutants into publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). EPA is also proposing changes to certain program requirements to be consistent with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements. The proposals would reduce the regulatory burden on both industrial users and state and POTW Control Authorities without affecting environmental protection.

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TRY OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERS: SRF's Up is a new newsletter on EPA's State Revolving Fund (SRF) program. For a copy, visit http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwsrf/sum99.pdf on the Internet.

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