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Congress told funds for water systems are needed

Tuesday, March 27, 2001 | 10:45 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- A top Nevada environmental officer told Congress today that fast-growing states like Nevada need more money to keep up with water systems improvements.

Allen Biaggi said Nevada communities had requested water treatment programs that totaled $152 million last year, but the state had only $14 million to offer. The lack of money means Nevada in some cases cannot clean up ground water contamination from septic tanks, cannot replace drinking water pipes and must limit residential or industrial development.

"Without increased funding at the federal level, state drinking water and wastewater programs are facing crisis conditions," Biaggi said in prepared remarks. "The challenges are great, the resources limited, and the stakes of public health and environmental quality high."

Biaggi, administrator of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today on Capitol Hill as part of a hearing on national water system priorities. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., is the top Democrat on the panel.

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