Congress Set to Upgrade Water Systems
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WASHINGTON — Lawmakers worked out an agreement Wednesday to provide tens of millions of dollars to upgrade municipal water systems and, for the first time, require that citizens be told what contaminants are in their tap water.
After a week of wrangling between House and Senate negotiators, the two sides agreed on a broad overhaul of the federal law that protects drinking water. It authorizes a $7.6-billion revolving fund over the next seven years, including $725 million this year, for water system improvements.
Both chambers were expected to move quickly to approve the legislation, perhaps as early as today, and send it to the White House. President Clinton has indicated he will sign it.
EPA Administrator Carol Browner praised the legislation and said it would “strengthen health standards” and also “ensures that Americans have a right to know about contaminants” in the water they drink. She praised the “bipartisan” effort on the bill.
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