This Week in Washington is a weekly publication of the Water Environment Federation’s Government Affairs department. It provides updates on the latest legislative and regulatory developments that affect the water and wastewater communities.

Provided by the Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA

EPA Releases Additional Flood Water Sampling Data; Conducts Air Sampling
On September 14 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in coordination with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality posted flood water sampling data for chemicals from Sept. 4 and 6.  Hexavalent chromium and arsenic, in addition to lead which was previously detected on September 3rd, were detected at levels which exceeded EPA drinking water standards. These compounds would pose a risk to children only if a child were to drink a liter of flood water a day. Long-term exposure (a year or longer) to arsenic would be required before health effects would be expected to occur. Thallium was detected at one sampling location at levels 10 times lower than levels at which there would be a health effect.  Results from samples taken on September 5th will be released as soon as they have undergone review and validation.  Flood water sampling data for biological pathogens from Sept. 6 through 10 have also been posted for public review. E. coli levels are still greatly elevated and remain much higher than EPA's recommended levels for contact.

In addition to flood water sampling, EPA's airplane ASPECT (Airborne Spectral Imagery of Environmental Contaminants Technology) has flown 15 flights to obtain environmental screening data.  There was only one instance where a chemical was found at levels exceeding OSHA standards.  EPA responders on the ground located the course, a 55-gallon drum containing 4 inches of Chloro Acetic Acid. The drum was secured by EPA response personnel.

EPA will continue to release data as it becomes available. To view the data, visit: http://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults. (SRT)

NERR Update from U.S. EPA on Hurricane Katrina Response Efforts
On September 15 EPA issued updated information on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Emergency Resource Registry (NERR) specific to supporting affected drinking water and wastewater utilities.  NERR contains over 1000 offers of resources for water and wastewater utilities.  The NERR resource subcategories specific to water and wastewater have been updated to better reflect utilities’ critical needs.  Resources that were already entered into the system have been transferred to the appropriate new subcategories.  If you have already entered resources into the system, you may wish to go into your entry and add information on the specific type of items that you are offering.  If you have already registered for the NERR but wish to add additional details or entries, sign on to https://www.swern.gov and click on the blue “Want to Help?” banner at the top of the page.  Enter your user ID and password on the right side of the page.  If you have not registered for the NERR, go to https://www.swern.gov and click on the blue “Want to Help?” banner at the top of the page.   Click on “Register” on the left side of the page and follow the instructions.  For the basic status of utilities and an update on EPA activities regarding the Katrina response, please visit http://www.epa.gov/katrina.  (SRT)

Water for the Poor Act Passes House Committee
On September 15, the House International Relations Committee passed legislation that establishes drinking water and wastewater development projects as priority funding projects for foreign aide provided by the U.S.  H.R. 1673, entitled Water for the Poor Act of 2005, is sponsored by Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and has broad bi-partisan support among Members in both the House and Senate.  A companion bill is pending in the Senate and is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN).  Currently there is no requirement that U.S. foreign aide be targeted to providing clean and safe water to poor developing countries.  Final House passage of this legislation could occur before Congress adjourns in November.  (PS)

Protesters Stage Mock Chlorine Spill at U.S. Capitol
Environmentalists staged a mock chemical accident in front of the U.S. Capitol on September 13 to draw attention to efforts they say would better secure the nation's cities from the risk of hazardous chemical spills.  About 50 protestors held a "die-in" with a smoking chlorine rail car at about 9 a.m. Capitol Police responded within five minutes and later called in hazmat crews before the protesters dispersed around 10:30 a.m. Officers repeatedly refused to let reporters near the scene or answer questions.  The protestors were from Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, and other environmental groups.  The groups are supporting efforts from various cities and Congress to limit rail transport of hazardous material through cities. Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) offered a rail security bill last year, and Sens. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) and Jon Corzine (D-N.J.) are working on similar legislation this session.  Watching the scene unfold, Peggy Wilhide of the Association of American Railroads defended the industry's safety record, noting that transporting chlorine and chemicals on trucks would be 16 times more dangerous than rail cars. "We're working with the Department of Homeland Security to take appropriate precautions to ensure the safe transport of this material," Wilhide said.  (SJH)

National Drinking Water Advisory Council's Working Group on Public Education Requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule Meeting Announcement
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on September 14 that the first public meeting of the Working Group of the National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC) on the Public Education Requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule (WGPE) will be held in Washington, DC on October 5th and 6th.  The WGPE meeting will take place at RESOLVE, Inc., 1255 23rd St., NW., Suite 275, Washington, DC 20037. Interested participants from the public should contact Elizabeth McDermott at  mcdermott.elizabeth@epa.gov or call 202-564-1603 to receive additional details. (SJH)

New EPA Web Site Shares Section 319 Nonpoint Source Success Stories
EPA launched a new web site sharing Section 319 Nonpoint Source Success Stories. The Web site features projects receiving grant funds from the Clean Water Act section 319 Nonpoint Source Program that have achieved documented water quality improvements, including the achievement of water quality standards and removal from state section 303(d) lists of impaired waters. The Web site includes 18 stories, and 10 more will be posted in the next several weeks.  The web address is http://www.epa.gov/nps/success/. (SRT) 

Quote of the Week: “True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by”.    --E.S.Bouton

This Week in Washington is provided by the Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA. To receive This Week in Washington by e-mail, contact Lisa Jones, (703) 684-2400 ext. 7741, ljones@wef.org. For more information on this week's stories, please contact the WEF staff whose initials appear at the end of the item in which you are interested. TW –Tim Williams (703) 684-2437, twilliams@wef.org; SRT - Sharon Thomas, (703) 684-2423, sthomas@wef.org; SJH - Sam Hadeed (703) 684-2418, shadeed@wef.org; PS-Patricia Sinicropi (703) 684-2416, psinicropi@wef.org. This Week in Washington is available on-line at http://www.wef.org/PolicyAction/USGovernmentAffairs/TWIW/.