Clinton Signs Bill Toughening U.S. Water Quality Standards

President Clinton on Tuesday signed a major overhaul of the nation’s safe drinking water laws that toughens standards and authorizes $7.6 billion over seven years for a revolving loan fund to improve badly deteriorating water systems throughout the country.

Clinton and Republican and Democratic lawmakers hailed the legislation as a major breakthrough, because, for the first time, local water authorities will be required annually to disclose what chemicals and bacteria are in drinking water and to give public notice within 24 hours of discovering a dangerous contaminant.

The measure also creates a program to fight pollution at its sources by keeping streams and rivers clean and improving facilities that treat water before it comes out of the tap.

“Americans do have a right to know what’s in their drinking water, and where it comes from, before they turn on their taps,” Clinton said.

“Americans have a right to trust that every precaution is being taken to protect their families from dangerous, and sometimes even deadly, contaminants.”

The legislation would force water authorities to focus on preventing and treating the most harmful pollutants in tap water.

This directive marks a shift in policy away from identifying new pollutants toward controlling the most dangerous ones.

Enactment of the legislation marks the first agreement between the administration and the GOP-dominated Congress on a major environmental initiative.

Clinton also signed into law a $52.8-billion funding bill for nutrition programs and agricultural research that also provides $12 million to combat a rash of fires at churches with black congregations.