Schumer Announces Key Senate Panel Backs $250,000 For Mohawk Valley Water Authority In Utica

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $250,000 under the FY06 Interior Appropriations Act for Mohawk Valley Water Authority in Utica to develop and enhance methods to detect water bacteria, a critical component of emergency preparedness. The bill must now be approved by the full Senate before being sent to a House and Senate Conference Committee and eventually being signed into law. Schumer aggressively lobbied members of the Appropriations Committee to include funding for the project in this years spending bill.

This money will do great things for Utica and the entire Mohawk Valley, said Schumer. The Mohawk Valley Water Authority is key protecting the health and safety of our communities. Making sure they have the funds they need means making sure they can act quickly in public health emergencies.

The project goal is to develop and enhance methodologies for rapid bacterial detection. The quantitative techniques are used to identify the intentional or accidental microbial contamination of a drinking water distribution system. In the event of a suspected contamination of a distribution system, these methods can potentially analyze a sample for bacterial contamination in realtime, providing utilities and government officials with reliable data to assist onsite decisions that maximize protection of public health. MVWA is a leader in the drinking water industry for employing rapid methodologies and emergency response preparedness. Furthermore, MVWA is pleased to house this technology and offer emergency analyses to other utilities in the upstate area in the event of a contamination incident.

Today, the Appropriations Committee included $250,000 in the Interior spending bill. The bill was passed by the Appropriations Committee today and now heads to the floor for a full vote before the Senate. A vote is expected this summer, and after final passage a conference committee will reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of the Interior Appropriations Bill before sending it to the President to become law.