SMITH LAUDS PASSAGE OF WATER SECURITY BILL Legislation Will Enhance Security at Water Utilities

Washington D.C. -- U.S. Senator Bob Smith (R-NH), the senior Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, today applauded passage of a bill he introduced to initiate immediate security measures to protect water supplies and other water infrastructure. The legislation would provide grants for training programs, gates, surveillance equipment, along with other security measures. Smith's bill passed the Senate late last night.

Senator Smith said, "While we have received assurances from the utilities that our water supply is safe, it is essential that we take additional precautionary measures that would close any potential security gaps. The events of September 11th have heightened our awareness to possible threats, and I feel that these measures would enhance the current security."

The bill, one of several terrorism related bills that Smith has sponsored or cosponsored, would authorize $50 million for fiscal year 2002 to carry out the grant projects. Funds would be allocated to the states and applicants, either publicly or privately owned drinking water or wastewater facilities from that state, would be eligible to apply for the grants.

Diane VanDe Hei, Executive Director of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, praised Senator Smith's legislation, "Senator Smith's bill will help drinking water and wastewater agencies rapidly upgrade or install basic security measures to thwart unauthorized access to reservoirs, plants and offices. Many of these systems already face financial challenges for routine infrastructure replacement, so without the funding authorized in the bill, the cost of even the most basic measures would be impossible to cover."