Mark Hatfield: “I believe we have come up with a bill that will result in a high level of health protection for our citizens because it…”

“I believe we have come up with a bill that will result in a high level of health protection for our citizens because it will help local systems devote attention and resources to the most threatening drinking water problems. I began my involvement in the safe drinking water debate almost 2 years ago during the Domenici-Chafee debate on the VA-HUD appropriations bill. After this debate, I made a concerted effort to learn about how the Safe Drinking Water Act was working in Oregon. I toured water treatment works in Salem and Aurora. I asked water system operators in Oregon to write me, and I received over 300 letters about the strengths and weaknesses of the current law. Last July, I convened a meeting of over 150 State and local officials who implement the Safe Drinking Water Act. People in my State were a wealth of information about this law and program, and I believe the officials of Oregon have done national service in raising and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the Safe Drinking Water Act.”