[Mintwood-place] Graham: DC WASA Water Safety Analysis

[Jim Graham]

Dear Friends:



Yesterday I* *released a statement in response to an article in The
Washington Post. The article reveals that the Centers for Disease Control
misled the District about lead levels in our drinking water. They issued
incomplete reports and covered it up.

* *

The article confirms what I have been saying since 2004.  Our children were
exposed to dangerous levels of lead in our water.  To now learn that the
Centers for Disease Control not only got it wrong but may have intentionally
misled District residents and our water agency is the ultimate betrayal of
the public trust.



In more than 10 hearings about lead levels from 2004 to 2007, I hounded WASA
officials about lead levels. Each time we were assured by WASA officials,
relying on the CDC’s reports, that the water was safe. This was in stark
contrast to reports from scientists and advocates.



In February 2008, WASA, once again despite widespread concern, assured my
committee and the Council the drinking water was safe. I demanded WASA and
the newly formed District Department of Energy separately to conduct
analyses of the drinking water. Neither conducted studies. DDOE did form the
Water Quality Task Force. Sadly, this group has foundered without the
resources or WASA determination.



In April 2008, I expressed serious concern about the effect WASA’s
partial-lead replacements were having on the city’s drinking water. The WASA
board voted to modify this practice in September 2008, based on my concerns,
which turned out to be accurate (as the Post story confirmed).



I have championed the fight against dangerous lead-levels in District homes
since the introduction of my first bill (The Lead Inspection and Turnover
Act of 1999). I will continue to do so for our children.



WASA must conduct water safety tests now.





Bests,

Councilmember Jim Graham


-- 

I typically answer emails before 9 AM on weekdays. If you email me after
that, it is likely that you will hear from me the next weekday. If there is
a need to communicate prior to that, you may wish to call me.

Jim Graham, Councilmember, Ward One, 1350 Pa. Ave., NW, #105, Washington, DC
20004. 202-724-8181; 202-724-8109 (fax).

Chairman, Committee on Public Works and the Environment (including alcohol
regulation). Main Committee Number: 202-724-8195. 1350 Pa. Ave., NW, #116,
Washington, DC 20004.

Website: www.grahamwone.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.mutualaid.org/pipermail/mintwood-place/attachments/20100521/2253095a/attachment.html>