"GAO: States Underreporting Violations of Drinking-Water Standards"

"A government report released Tuesday says states are underreporting violations of federal drinking-water standards, preventing the Environmental Protection Agency from enforcing rules aimed at protecting public health.

Top Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, who requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, said Tuesday the findings raise red flags. The lawmakers blasted House Republicans for pushing to cut funding for a program that provides money to states to meet federal drinking-water standards.

“Rather than slashing funding for this critical public health resource, Congress should be moving legislation to improve the reporting and policing of drinking water violations,” Rep. Henry Waxman (Calif.), the top Democrat on the panel, said in a statement."

Andrew Restuccia reports for The Hill's E2 Wire July 19, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"GAO: EPA Drops the Ball on  Drinking Water, Part 2" (Sustained Outrage/Charleston Gazette)

"Feds in Dark About Some Drinking Water Problems" (AP)

"Audits Show Health Violations in Drinking Water" (Washington Post)

"Drinking Water: Unreliable State Data Limit EPA's Ability to Target Enforcement Priorities and Communicate Water Systems' Performance" (GAO)