Bond urges EPA action on water security

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Environmental Protection Agency needs to move quickly to develop guidelines that will safeguard the nation's water supply, Sen. Kit Bond said Friday.

Bond, R-Mo., visited Kansas City's health department and water treatment facility, where he was briefed on city's ability to combat a bioterrorism attack or to thwart efforts to disrupt the water supply.

"The work that's gone on in Kansas City is very encouraging, and I've been very much impressed with the security at the treatment facilities and what they are doing to prevent contamination," Bond said in an interview.

But he expressed concern that local officials were not getting the help they need or were promised from the federal government.

The EPA is responsible for coordinating the protection of the nation's drinking water infrastructure under a 1998 directive from then-President Clinton, he said.

Citing a recent report from the EPA's inspector general, Bond said the agency is years behind schedule for issuing guidelines to help utilities identify and fix weaknesses.

Bond, who serves on the Senate Appropriations panel that funds the EPA, said he would push the agency to move quickly and would work to ensure the EPA has the money it needs.

The necessity for the guidelines has been heightened by the Sept. 11 suicide hijackings of four U.S. jetliners.

Bond said water facilities must look immediately at doing everything from locking doors and setting alarms to challenging strangers and discussing emergency procedures with local law enforcement.

Long-term actions could include installing motion sensors and video cameras and checking the background of employees, he said.

Later Friday, Bond met with Dr. Rex Archer, director of the Kansas City Health Department, and said he would work to secure funding to help cities deal with the threat of bioterrorism.