CC PACKET 02251992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Putting Minnesota's Water to the Test: State Must Decide how to fund federally mandated tests for- lead, pesticides and other contaminants in our drinking water Throughout Minnesota, citizens, members of community health advisory boards*and • parents are expressing concern about the safety of the state's drinking water. Testing the state's drinking water for harmful contaminants—lead, copper, agricultural and industrial pollutants--has been an important activity of the state health department. And that activity continues. However, in 1992, Minnesota must begin testing to check the levels of 58 additional contaminants in its drinking water. These new tests, mandated by federal law, will increase the costs of testing Minnesota's drinking water. And there are no new federal funds to support the federally mandated testing programs. Therefore, in 1992 Minnesota's legislators will be asked to set up a system to fund expanded water testing. Not just for 1992, but for years to come. In fact, during the next several years, new tests for additional contaminants will be added to the state's water monitoring programs as a result of the federal mandate. Safe Drinking Water 0 1974 federal Safe Drinking Water Act sets limits for 23 contaminants in public drinking water • 1977 Minnesota Safe Drinking "In 1992 the MDH will add Water Act sets state limits and services to help ensure safe brings in federal funds for drinking water for all administering drinking water program Minnesotans — at home, at • 1986 federal -law increases school, at work or on regulated contaminants to 83 by vacation. Our goal is to 1992. No new federal funds to provide safe drinking water test for 58 more contaminants to all Minnesotans." • 1989 Minnesota Legislature adds funds for testing Marlene E. Marschall • 1992 — New funds needed to Commissioner of Health cover mandatory testing for 58 chemicals--lead, copper, pesticides, etc., in Minnesota's drinking water •