Thursday, March 10, 2022 - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains in broad-brush statements, their plans to improve the nation's drinking water in a memo they published the other day. The agency plans to allocate $43 billion of taxpayer money to fix our country's decaying water infrastructure as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law. At the core of the spending will be replacing lead pipes in areas serving water to low-income communities. The EPA reported, "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's investment in clean water is nothing short of transformational," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox." EPA and its state, local, and Tribal partners have an obligation to work together and maximize the impact of these funds in communities, especially disadvantaged communities. Water is essential, and this action will help ensure that every American can rely on safe drinking water and have access to wastewater management that protects health and the environment." Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitman praised the EPA's and Biden Administration's efforts to prioritize drinking water safety to underserved areas, and to structure a program that will bring thousands of jobs to inner-city residents, as did Oregon Governor Kate Brown also. "Everyone in Oregon deserves access to clean drinking water, regardless of their income level or the zip code they live in," said Oregon Governor Kate Brown. "I'm very excited to see Administrator Regan and EPA taking this next step to distribute water infrastructure funding to the communities that need it most, with a shared vision that centers equity as we work to deliver clean and safe drinking water to all Americans." The memo will also help support the victims of PFAS cancer
The EPA's water initiative also plans to address perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants, according to the EPA. PFAS are considered forever chemicals in that once in the body they do not break down. PFAS synthetic chemicals are used to make non-stick Teflon cookware and Gortex waterproof clothing. Stain-resistant Scotchguard is also made from PFAS forever chemicals, used to protect carpets and drapery from stains. DuPont and 3M are two manufacturers of products using forever chemicals. According to an article in USA Today, health experts are concerned that forever chemical bioaccumulates in human tissues leading to a wide variety of diseases. "Large and numerous studies of highly exposed populations have linked them (PFAS forever chemicals) to health effects including ulcerative colitis, diagnosed high cholesterol, thyroid disease, testicular cancer, kidney cancer, and pregnancy-induced hypertension," USA Today wrote. One way to address the toxic PFAS angle of the drinking water problem is for the US Senate to pass the Honor Our Pact Act which passed through the U.S. House of Representatives and contains The Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Representative Greg Murphy told reporters that passing the bill would ensure that service members and their families would be able to file a PFAS water lawsuit against the US government. "The Camp Lejeune Justice Act eliminates burdensome red tape to ensure that those exposed to toxic chemicals, including service members, Marine dependents, civil servants, and contractors, can receive their day in court."
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