HomeMy WebLinkAboutFYI 2022 09 14 Joint Assoc Letter RE Rail Strike Letter to Congressional Leadership - final American
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METROPOLITAN
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National Water Works NRWA
Association WATER AGENCIES of wbbr Companies
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N A C VVA tj w FedEnvironment
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the water quality people°
September 14, 2022
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi The Honorable Charles Schumer
Speaker of the House of Representatives Senate Majority Leader
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Kevin McCarthy The Honorable Mitch McConnell
House Minority Leader Senate Minority Leader
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20510
cts RE: Maintaining the Integrity of Nation's Freight Transportation System
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Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, and Leader McCarthy:
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The American Water Works Association,Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Rural
w
d Water Association, National Association of Water Companies, National Association of Clean Water
Agencies, and the Water Environment Federation respectfully ask that Congress intervene to sustain
freight rail service that is essential for day-to-day functions upon which the American people depend.
Freight rail plays a crucial role in the supply of key chemicals necessary for maintaining essential lifeline
functions provided to communities by drinking water and wastewater treatment systems. As you are
aware,the nation's railroads have embargoed shipments of hazardous materials like chlorine in order to
meet federal regulations should a railroad worker work stoppage occur this week.
Chlorine is critical in the drinking water treatment process. It is required for disinfecting drinking water so
that it is safe and for compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. Many wastewater utilities also use
chlorine for disinfection to protect public health and the environment. The disruption of normal freight
rail transport of chlorine endangers effective water and wastewater treatment operations. Water
systems maintain on-site storage of key treatment chemicals, but reliable chemical supply requires a
complete return to normal shipping and delivery of both delayed and anticipated shipments.
Water utilities must consider quality, safety, and system resiliency as they acquire and store treatment
chemicals. Embargos are already being imposed on hazardous material shipments which will directly
impact water system operations from the resulting shortage in availability of chlorine and other water
treatment chemicals. Unless freight rail service for chlorine returns to normal soon, communities will be
unable to produce safe drinking water, resulting in many boil water advisories and the threat of
waterborne disease outbreaks. Inadequate disinfection represents a threat to public health and a
significant disruption to daily life, local economies, and critical services like hospitals and schools. Public
health and environmental protection will also be placed at risk for communities that use chlorine for
wastewater disinfection.
Responding to shortfalls in water treatment chemicals like chlorine also puts additional economic strain
on water systems. The cost of system response will ultimately be borne by individual households in the
price of water service and the foregone investments in system improvements.
Congress can ill-afford to put the nation's public health at risk. We urge Congress to act promptly to avert
any work stoppages and ensure the nation's supply chain is maintained.
Should you have questions or would like to discuss this matter, please contact Kevin Morley
(kmorley@awwa.org), Dan Harnett (hartnett@amwa.net), Mike Keegan (keegan@ruralwater.org), Rik
Hull (Rik@nawc.com), Cynthia Finley (cfinley@nacwa.org), or Steve Dye (sdye@wef.org).
Sincerely,
Pttie-
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to G. Tracy M an, III Adam Krantz
Executive Director of Government Affairs Chief Executive Officer
American Water Works Association National Association of Clean Water Agencies
Tom Dobbins Matthew Holmes
Chief Executive Officer Chief Executive Officer
Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies National Rural Water Association
Robert Powelson Claudio H. Ternieden
Chief Executive Officer Chief Policy Officer
National Association of Water Companies Water Environment Federation