WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the water crisis which disrupted the water supply of approximately 500,000 people in Northwest Ohio in early August, today U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) renewed their efforts to protect the safety of drinking water in Ohio. The Safe and Secure Drinking Water Act – developed in response to the high microcystin levels in the Western Lake Erie basin – will direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish a health advisory and submit reports on what level of microcystin in drinking water is expected to be safe for human consumption. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed this same bill in December 2014. Unfortunately the U.S. House of Representatives did not pass before the end of the 113th Congress.

“The water crisis in Toledo last summer highlighted the importance of protecting the Great Lakes from harmful algal blooms,” Brown said. “Our bill will ensure that drinking water operators have the information they need to ensure safe drinking water for Ohio residents and businesses. Congress must pass this bill now.”

“I’m pleased to renew our push to ensure that all levels of government work together to determine if our drinking water is safe for human consumption,” Portman stated. “As we continue to work to ensure that Ohioans have access to safe and clean drinking water, the passage of this legislation will be an important step toward identifying what is safe and what is not.”

Microcystin is a byproduct of blooming algae in freshwater bodies. Despite requests that state and federal regulators set microcystin limits in drinking water, cities and water plant operators currently rely on the World Health Organization’s suggestion of one part per billion or less. The EPA has been working on developing a federal limit for years, but has yet to issue one. This legislation would require EPA to act on interim measure, an advisory that would help inform and educate local and state officials, as it continues to work on a federal mandate. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur has introduced companion legislation in the House

Brown and Portman continue to work to ensure the health of the Great Lakes. Last week, the senators sent a letter to the Assistant Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Engineers at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) urging them to direct additional resources to dredging and maintenance of the Great Lakes.

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