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COMMENTS SOUGHT ON D.C. DRINKING WATER PLAN

Release Date: 2/4/1999
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA - The Environmental Protection Agency and the District of Columbia have agreed to a plan for spending $8 million in federal construction grant funds.

Since District residents woke up to boil-water notices five years ago, EPA and the district have worked harder to consistently provide safe drinking water to district residents.  Since 1997, EPA has given the district $18.5 million to improve drinking water.

Work this year will rehabilitate the Fort Stanton Reservoir and clean and line water pipes throughout the district.  The latter will increase water flow and pressure, and will reduce buildups inside pipes where bacteria thrive.  The Fort Stanton reservoir rehabilitation will improve flow controls, repair valves, fix damaged concrete, and install new area lighting and parking.

The district’s 1999 drinking water plan -- called an intended use plan -- outlines how the combined federal and district funding will be used.  A second component of the plan will rank priorities for construction grant funds in 2000.

EPA seeks public comments on the intended use plan and the ranking system by
February 28, 1999.  These three-page documents can be viewed at our website on www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/3wp22/.   To submit comments or receive copies of the plan or ranking system, write to George Rizzo (3WP22), U. S. EPA - Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029, or phone him at 1-800-438-2474 .

If you have questions about specific drinking water projects in the district, contact Libby Lawson, public affairs manager, DC Water and Sewer Authority, at 202-645-6295.  


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