Water Testing

Air Date:01/24/2011

By Jackelyn Severin

Legislation dealing with the testing of water in swimming areas passed the state House of Representatives. House Bill 1009 requires local municipalities to make sure public lakes, pools and ponds are safe for swimming. Right now the Department of Natural Resources does all water testing which local municipalities are then liable for.  Republican Representative Charles Hoffman of Eureka says this bill could save the state 24,000 dollars.

Hoffman says, "I urge you to help us to alleviate an oversight, which is already, its a doubling of governmental affairs in private matters within publics, cities and there municipalities and I urge you to vote yes."

Opponents of the bill say it will shift costs to local municipalities which have no uniform standards for water regulation putting the public health and safety at risk.

House Bill 1009 passed by a vote of 60 to 9 and now goes to the Senate for further debate.

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