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| Councilmember Carol Schwartz
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA To designate the Committee on Public Works and the Environment Investigation into the Conduct and Operations of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority as a Special Project of the Council of the District of Columbia; to authorize funding for the Committee on Public Works and the Environment to bring in appropriate experts to find solutions to the increased levels of lead in some District residents' tap water as well as independent health experts to keep the public abreast of related health issues; to evaluate the Water and Sewer Authority's structure; to assess the adequacy of public notification by the Water and Sewer Authority; and to authorize the Chairman of the Committee on Public Works and the Environment to hire appropriate personnel and report the Committee on Public Works and the Environment's findings. RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the "Committee on Public Works and the Environment Investigation into the Conduct and Operations of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority Special Project Resolution of 2004". Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia ("Council") finds that: (1) The United States Environmental Protection Agency has established a safe level for lead in drinking water of 15 parts per billion. (2) Officials from the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority ("WASA") and the Army Corps of Engineers have been aware for years that the level of lead in some District residents' tap water exceeds 15 parts per billion, with one known home testing as high as 550 parts per billion. (3) WASA officials initially failed to adequately notify the public and elected officials about increased levels of lead in some District residents' tap water. (4) Increased levels of lead in the human body can cause damage to the brain, to the kidneys and to red blood cells. (5) Increased levels of lead in the body are a particular danger for pregnant women and children under the age of six. The District has issued an advisory for these specific populations who are living in homes iwth lead service lines to not drink unfiltered District tap water. (6) The District has also advised all other members of the public with lead service lines to flush their taps for at least ten inutes before drinking tap water or cooking with tap water. (7) The Committee on Public Works and the Environment ("Committee") has held three public oversight hearings in a period of three weeks on the matter of hte increased levels of lead in some District residents' tap water. These hearings were held on February 4, February 10 and February 25, 2004. Sec. 3. The Council determines that the circumstances enumerated in Section 2 constitute reasons for a Special Project and hereby authorizes funding for the Special Project by the Committee, including the appointment of professional staff as needed. This investigation will include but is not limited to the following: (1) Bring in appropriate experts to find solutions to the increased levels of lead in some District residents' tap water as well as independent health experts to keep the public abreast on related health issues; (2) Evaluate the Water and Sewer Authority's structure; and (3) Assess the adequacy of public notification by WASA. Sec. 4. The Council designates this investigation as a Special Project, pursuant to Council Rule 253, and authorizes funding of no more than $50,000 for appropriate personnel from the fiscal year 2004 Council budget to end by July 15, 2004. The Committee will present its findings to the Council upon the conclusion of its investigation. Sec. 5. This resolution shall take effect immediately. |
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