House Transportation Committee Approves Wastewater Treatment Security Legislation

The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has unanimously approved several bills, including legislation to enhance wastewater infrastructure security, H.R. 866, the "Wastewater Treatment Works Security Act Of 2003."

H.R. 866 authorizes $200 million for grants to wastewater treatment plants to conduct vulnerability assessments and to undertake security enhancements, authorizes $15 million for technical assistance to small wastewater treatment plants, and authorizes $5 million for the improvement of wastewater vulnerability self-assessment methodologies and tools.

After the September 11th attacks, more attention has been paid to the vulnerabilities of drinking water utilities, although sewer pipes potentially provide an insecure means of access to almost all public buildings, and treatment plant failures can have significant environmental and public health effects.

The bill was introduced by Committee Chairman Don Young; Ranking Member Jim Oberstar; Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman; and Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL), Water Resources Subcommittee Ranking Democrat.

Source: Capitol Reports