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. Orn55J January 21, 1994 Issue No. 1027 WESTERN STATES WATER TIIE WEEKLY NEWSLEITER OF TIIE WESTERN STATES WATER COUNCIL Creekview Plaza, Suite A-201 /942 East 7145 So. / Midvale, Utah 84047 / (801) 561-5300/ FAX (801) 255-9642 Editor - Norm Johnson Typist - Carrie Curvin WATER QUAUTY Sale Drinking Water Act-Reauthorization . H.R. 3392, to reauthorize the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), has been introduced by Representatives Jim Slattery (D-KS) and Thomas J. Bliley, Jr. (R-VA). Important provisions of the bill would: (1) bring cost considerations into drinking water regulation by allowing issuance of a variance where a system cannot afford to install "best available technology," requiring instead "best available affordable technology" and allowing establishment of monitoring requirements based on ability to pay; (2) provide for selection of new contaminants for regulation using a data base bui~ on frequency of occurrence; and (3) eliminate monitoring, enforcement and compliance requirements for contaminants that do not occur at levels of public health concern. While funding is provided under H,R. :3392 for research, technical assistance, and training, and some grants to states, the bill does not create a SDWA revolving fund program. The Slattery/Bliley bill has been criticized by environmental interests as irresponsible. It has the support of several national organizations and associations, including the National Governors' Association. It has been referred to as the "water community coalition bill." . In the Senate two SDWA reauthorization bills have been introduced (yVSW #1018). And, two bills creating differing SDWA revolving loan funds have been approved by competing House committees (yVSW #992). EPA has a 1 a-point plan for the SDWA reauthorization and the Natural Resources Defense Council has drafted a legislative proposal. SDWA reauthorization is thought to have a high priority in Chairman - Dave Kennedy Execu tive Director - Craig Bell both the House and Senate, although other environmental issues, such as the reauthorization of the Clean Water Act and health care reform, are thought to be more important by some key Congressional leaders. A central issue in the SDWA debate is standard-setting. Resolution of this issue is expected to be contentious and could signnicantly delay the reauthorization. WATER RESOURCES Information Systems Management-New Mexico Workshop The New Mexico State Engineer's office, in association with the Western States Water Council, will sponsor a water management information systems conference/workshop in Albuquerque on March 21-22. The purpose is to bring together western water managers and information system professionals to examine the status of water resource management information systems, as well as development of standards and criteria for water resource data collection, processing, and information sharing. Other conference topics will include interfacing hydrologic models with geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning system (apS) applications, and future technology trends. The conference will also address water right data base development, state rivers inventory and assessment, inter-and intra- agency coordination and agreements, and other topics. At the conclusion of the conference, a workshop will be held to discuss the feasibility of establishing an information systems clearinghouse, as well as an information systems management committee under the auspices of either the Association of Western State Engineers or the Western States Water Council. Conference/workshop participants are encouraged to make presentations on