FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 1, 2016

CONTACTS:

Sue Walitsky/Marty Welch 202-224-4524 (Cardin)

Lyn Riggins 301-206-8185 (WSSC)

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

Cardin to Tour WSSC, Urge Lawmakers Returning from Work Period to Move on Water Infrastructure

 

As senators return from work period, Cardin calls for immediate action to remedy and prevent poisoning of drinking water

 

Monday, April 4 at 1:30 PM, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, will tour the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) Patuxent Water Filtration Plant and will discuss with employees and media current efforts to update America’s crumbling system of water infrastructure. Accompanying Senator Cardin will be Carla A. Reid, who was appointed General Manager/CEO of WSSC in January.    

 

“In cities across America, we are seeing the negative impact that years of neglect to our water infrastructure is having on public health,” said Senator Cardin. “When we turn on the tap, we expect that the water coming out is clean and safe for our families to use. WSSC should serve as a national example of water infrastructure policy and investment done right. To fix and avoid the serious contamination of water we have seen in Flint, Newark, and in my hometown of Baltimore, the federal government must get serious about updating the policy and hidden miles of pipes that are supposed to ensure clean and usable water.”

 

“We are honored that Senator Cardin has chosen to visit WSSC and recognize our excellent record in water quality and providing this life’s most essential resource to the people of our counties. And I thank him for his leadership in helping water utilities rebuild their infrastructure and for keeping children and all of our citizens safe and free of any illnesses related to unclean water” said Carla Reid, WSSC General Manager/CEO. 

 

Senator Cardin has long advocated for updating America’s drinking and waste water infrastructure. Senator Cardin introduced a package of legislation that responds to the nationwide crisis of unsafe drinking water, crumbling infrastructure and inadequate water protection that has combined to poison residents of Flint, Mich., and communities throughout the country.

 

 

WHAT:                      Tour and Media Availability on Safe Drinking Water

 

            WHO:                        U.S. Senator Ben Cardin

Carla A. Reid, WSSC General Manager/CEO

WSSC Commissioners

 

WHEN:                      Monday, April 4 at 1:30 PM     

 

WHERE:                    WSSC Patuxent Water Filtration Plant

                                    6101 Sandy Spring Road (Rt. 198), Laurel, MD 20707

(Corner of Sandy Spring & Sweitzer)

                                    Enter on Rt. 198 side of the plant. The gate along the EB lane just west of Sweitzer Lane.

 

HOW:                        News agency/Media credentials required

                                    MEDIA are encouraged to RSVP to Sue Walitsky sue_walitsky@cardin.senate.gov