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National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates
R E S O L U T I O N

Upcoming EPA Action on Water Quality

WHEREAS, in March, 1999, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) convened the Microbial Disinfection Byproducts Stage 2 and the Long Term Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule State 2 Federal Advisory Committee to assess whether there are risk(s) to public health not currently being addressed under the Stage 1 rules and develop recommendations for what measures can be taken to address the risk(s); and
WHEREAS, the Committee includes a board cross section of groups interested in the regulation of drinking water, including the water utility industry, state regulators, environmental organizations, public health officials and representatives of water consumers; and

WHEREAS, the EPA and the other members of the Committee will be meeting through April 2000 in order to allow EPA to promulgate proposed rules in May 2001 and the Committee members will be devoting considerable resources to engage in a cooperative effort to attempt to deal with very complex issues; and

WHEREAS, the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) has accepted EPA's invitation to participate as a member of the Committee; and

WHEREAS, NASUCA has in Resolution No. 1991-12 urged the United States Congress and EPA to carefully evaluate the effect on water utility customers of safe drinking water requirements; and

WHEREAS, NASUCA has in Resolution No. 1993-03 commended the EPA for forming an advisory committee to negotiate the Stage 1 regulations for disinfection of drinking water and the by-products of disinfection and for fully considering the ability of consumers to afford to pay higher water rates; and

WHEREAS, NASUCA, in Resolution No. 1993-16, urged the federal and state governments to ensure that customers of small water systems receive safe and adequate service at reasonable rates; and

WHEREAS, NASUCA, in Resolution No. 1995-06, urged that the Safe Drinking Water Act be reauthorized to protect public health at the least possible cost to the consumer;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that NASUCA reaffirms its support of regulations that protect public health at the least possible cost to the consumer, including customers of small water systems and vulnerable subgroups, such as infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NASUCA authorizes the Executive Committee to develop specific positions and to take appropriate actions consistent with the terms of this resolution. If possible, the Executive Committee shall advise the membership of any proposed action prior to taking such action. In any event, the Executive Committee shall notify the membership of any action taken pursuant to this resolution.

Approved by NASUCA:

June, 1999, Baltimore, Maryland

Submitted By:

NASUCA Ad Hoc Water Committee

Christine Maloni Hoover, PA, Chair
Wes Blakley, IN
Robert Brabston, NJ
John Coffman, MO
Brian Gallagher, DE
Donald Rogers, MD
Dale Stransky, NVJames Warden, Jr., NY

National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates
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Phone: (301) 589-6313 Fax: 589-6380
e-mail: nasuca@nasuca.org