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proposal and immediately drew objections from irrigators. The version that passed the Senate on April 10, 1992 and was incorporated into H.R. 429 was virtually identical to the Seymour bill, which environmentalists feel offers inadequate protection for California fish and wildlife. The issue is now pending in a House-Senate conference committee. The Comprehensive National Energy Policy Act is the major energy bill now pending before a House-Senate conference committee. Earlier, a water-conservation bill known as the National Plumbing Products Efficiency Act was reintroduced in the 102nd Congress by Rep. Chet Atkins and Sen. Wyche Fowler. The legislation would set standards and labeling requirements for various plumbing products manufactured after July 1, 1992, in the interest of conserving water. Products covered included toilets, urinals, showerheads, lavatory faucets, and kitchen faucets. The legislation also directed the Secretary of Energy to set standards for water use by clothes washers and dishwash- ers, which are currently regulated for energy use. Showerhead standards were incorporated by the Senate Energy Committee in the National Energy Security Act in an amendment offered by Sen Fowler. The bill, S. 2116, established a standard of 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) when measured at 80 pounds per square inch (psi) and was passed by the Senate in February, 1992. In the House, Rep. Atkins offered an amendment to H.R. 776, the House version of the Energy bill, with many of the provisions of his original bill. After intensive negotiations, plumbing contractors, plumbing wholesalers, the plumbers' union, and finally plumbing manufacturers (who had been adamantly opposed to the legislation), joined with environ- mentalists to support the amendment. It was adopted by a vote of 328-79 when H.R. 776 passed the House in late May. In conference, the Senate has accepted the House language with minor changes, resulting in the following efficiency standards: Products Manufactured After January 1, 1994 Lavatory and Kitchen Faucets: 2.5 gallons per minute Faucet replacement aerators: 2.5 gallons per minute Showerheads: 2.5 gallons per minute Urinals: 1.0 gallons per flush Toilets (tank-type): 1.6 gallons per flush Toilets (tank-type labeled for commercial use only): 3.5 gallons per flush Products Manufactured after January 1, 1997 Toilets (Valve-type): 1.6 gallons per flush Toilets (tank-type labeled for commercial use only): 1.6 gallons per flush Enactment of these provisions will reduce indoor water use in new homes by about 25 percent, with added water savings from the use of efficient products in renovation and in commercial structures. The Clean Water Act received extensive oversight during the 102nd Congress, in preparation for reauthorizing the Act. The environmental community supported various amendments for strengthening current law. Among these are amendments to establish water-conservation require- ments and procedures that would help the nation move forward toward achieving water-quality goals. The environ- mentalists' proposal includes four key elements: • Conservation standards for water supply and wastewa- ter-treatment systems seeking permits under the Clean Water Act (Section 402 and 404 permits) for additions to water supply or wastewater-treatment capacity. • Least-cost planning requirements for applicants to state revolving loan funds for expanded wastewater treatment capacity. • Clarification of the use of state revolving loan funds for water-conservation measures that are cost-effective in reducing wastewater-treatment costs. • Requirements for states to assure the sufficiency of sewer rates to recover operation, maintenance, and replace- ment costs, and to eliminate water -and sewer- rate struc- tures that discourage water conservation. Where Legislation Can Help Not all water problems are ripe for legislative resolution. It is apparent that there are certain factors that serve as indicators for potential success. A legislative settlement is most promising when at least one side finds the status quo unacceptable and is in a position to offer something of recognizable value to the other. Water-conservation measures or even specific instream-flow requirements may be significant components in such legislation. Bibliography American Water Works Association. Manual of Water Supply Practices-Alternative Rates. AWWA Manual M34. Denver, Colorado: American Water Works Association, 1992. Beecher, J. A., Laubach,. A. P. 1989. Compendium on water supply drought and conservation. Columbus, Ohio.: The National Regulatory Research Institute. Ernst and Young. 1992. Water and wastewater rate survey. Charlotte, North Carolina. Lee, C. and Gelber, B. 1991. West meets East-water- saving strategies for the 21st Century. Poughkeepsie, New York. Scenic Hudson, Inc. Maddaus, W. O. 1987. Water conservation. Denver, Colorado. American Water Works Association. 13