Why isn't our drinking water clean?

On April 14, 2006, the Poughkeepsie Journal reported in an article entitled State well-testing bill gets no backing, that "Advocates for a statewide private well testing law failed to find support in the Senate after appealing to Sen. Steve Saland, R-Poughkeepsie". It was further reported that 25 local and statewide environmental groups wrote to Saland, asking him to support a bill authored by Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli, D-Long Island. The bill has floundered without a backer in the Senate.

This is an important Human Health issue. Shouldn't every New Yorker be guarenteed safe, potable water? I think its time for clean water and a clean Albany. It's time for a NEW Senate and a NEW New York.

What do you think? I want to know.

And should Steve Saland ever knock on your door, offer him a glass of your tap water.

State Senator Saland introduced his own watered down version of what he calls a private well testing bill. It is merely smoke and mirrors because his version does not require testing. Would the seat belt law be effective if it were only recommended that you wear your seat belt?

141 Assemblymen and women voted unanimously on May 10th for Assemblyman DiNapolis Private Well Testing Bill which requires testing when a home is sold. The Assemlby bill requires well testing on all leased properties that use private wells, and that purchases of homes with new wells are also covered. Senator Salands bill does not. Senator Salands bill is ineffective.

Senator Saland is not protecting the health of his constituents . He should change his bill to include a requirement to test private well water. Without a requirement to test well water, Salands bill is useless and will be unsuccessful. If he really wanted private well water tested, why is he suggesting that it is only an option?

Twenty-five environmental groups believe that well water testing should be required and still do.

Debra Hall
Hopewell Junction Citizens for Clean Water