Clean water bill a must for state

4/15/07
Heavy rains take a toll on the public interest, and not just by washing out youth soccer games. When too much water gets into storm drains, many of which are connected to sewer lines, untreated overflow makes its way into lakes and rivers and eventually into Long Island Sound.
A bill before the Legislature could go a long way toward changing that. At $100 million, it won’t be cheap, but it’s a good opportunity to make a statement on the importance of the environment. It’s not about feel-good measures or far-in-the-future worries; these are concerns that affect people every day. Policies make a difference in our health, and water quality is a top priority.
Separating storm and sewer lines will be just one result of the spending bill, approved unanimously by the Legislature’s Environment Committee. But it’s a key factor, especially close to the Sound in Bridgeport. And with Fairfield and Trumbull connected to the city’s wastewater system, surrounding towns have an interest, as well.
State Rep. Richard Roy, who represents Milford — another community that stands to benefit from improved water quality in the Sound — says he is optimistic about getting the money in the budget this year. In addition to work on the storm drains, the bill would also bring the state’s Clean Water Fund back up to speed after losing its top-priority status over the past five years.
It’s hard to find a higher priority that clean water, and it’s up to the state to make sure our system is first-rate. Summer’s coming; keep those beaches open.