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WHEREAS, the public sector including local, state, and federal governments, agencies, and programs hold the responsibility of caring for the health and well-being of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, recent events throughout the county have highlighted the necessity of needed intervention and action to ensure residents have access to safe and clean drinking water; and
WHEREAS, studies continue to verify the health risks and damage caused by lead found in water and that certain populations, such as children and pregnant and breastfeeding women, are particularly vulnerable, as exposure is linked to impaired mental and physical development and growth; and
WHEREAS, the continued use of lead service lines is a major contributor to the problem of lead getting into an area's drinking water; and
WHEREAS, the long-term goal is to completely remove and replace lead service lines; and
WHEREAS, collaboration between local, state, and federal authorities is required and can greatly impact an area's ability to remove lead services lines from both the public and private realm; and
WHEREAS, the replacement of lead lines can cost individual property owners upwards of $30,000 creating a burden for many; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania Senate Bill No. 334 would allow municipalities and municipal authorities the option and ability to make public funds available to remove and replace lead service lines on private property; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania Senate Bill No. 639 would allow municipalities to include private lateral rehabilitation or replacement in PennVEST funding applications when determined by the municipality that it is the most cost effective approach; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania Senate Bill No. 656 would allow municipalities and municipal authorities the ability to repair and replace contaminated private lines as well as make public funds available when the lines pose a threat to the public's health and safety; and
WHEREAS, this opportunity could be one of the numerous to...
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