[미국] EPA, 플린트시 사태로 식수계획 개발 의지 밝혀

 

 

미국 환경보호청(EPA) 물관리부 Joel Beauvais 부차관은 블로그 게시물을 통해 미시간주 플린트시의 납 오염에 대한 물위기를 인용, 국가의 식수를 보호하기 위한 국가적 계획 수립을 촉구할 것을 밝혔다.

 

Beauvais 부차관은 지자체, 지방 정부, 공중 위생 관리 등 기관 관계자들과 다음달에 회담할 계획이며, 이를 통해 EPA는 올해 말까지 실행 계획을 발표할 예정이라고 밝혔다. 또한 EPA의 2013년 자료를 인용하면서 2030년까지 수 천 마일 규모의 수도관 및 수처리 플랜트 향상을 통한 식수 개선을 위해서는 최소 3억8천400만 달러의 지원금이 필요하다고 말했다.

 

[원문보기]

 

EPA calls for development of drinking water plan following Flint crisis

 

In a blog post today Joel Beauvais, deputy assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Water, called for the development of a national plan to better protect the nation's drinking water, citing the lead contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan. He said that agency management will meet with state, local government and public health officials next month, and the EPA will release an action plan by the end of the year.

 

Beauvais, citing EPA data from 2013, said at least $384 billion in improvements will be needed through 2030 to maintain, upgrade and replace thousands of miles of pipe and treatment plants.

 

"The crisis in Flint, Michigan has brought to the forefront the challenges many communities across the country are facing, including from lead pipes that carry their drinking water," Beauvais said in the blog.

 

Beauvais' announcement comes a day after lawyers for Flint residents filed a claim for $220.2 million in damages, alleging that negligence by the EPA contributed to dangerous lead levels in the city's water supply.

 

Beauvais said the EPA has sent letters to governors and environmental and health commissioners in states that implement the Safe Drinking Water Act, urging them to work with the agency to improve drinking water quality.

 

[출처 = Water World / 2016년 4월 27일]