Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, a milestone in America's journey toward ensuring clean drinking water for all its citizens. President Joe Biden issued a statement reflecting on the progress made since the act's inception in 1974 and reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing efforts.
President Biden expressed pride in having supported this crucial legislation during his tenure as a senator. He highlighted that prior to the act, "America’s drinking water was unreliable and too often polluted with industrial waste or disease-causing contaminants." The legislation aimed to address these issues, resulting in significant improvements over five decades.
Biden emphasized the role of Vice President Kamala Harris and himself in advancing the objectives of the Safe Drinking Water Act. He noted their focus on current challenges such as toxic lead pipes, PFAS chemicals, aging infrastructure, and pollution affecting natural water sources. The administration has invested over $50 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to enhance water infrastructure across various communities, including Indigenous and rural areas.
The president reiterated his belief that every American deserves access to clean drinking water: "Vice President Harris and I have always believed that every person in this country deserves to turn on a faucet and have clean drinking water." He expressed confidence that his administration's efforts would leave a lasting impact on future generations.
