With recent reports about dark sediment in the water of St. Cloud residents, a congressman from the Sunshine State has obtained a promise from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to test its safety and fix the problem.
Last week, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler was before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee. U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., pressed Wheeler on the matter after requests from St. Cloud residents who “reported seeing orange and brown sediment in the water coming out of faucets and in other water systems throughout their homes.”
Soto pointed to cuts to the EPA, insisting they helped lead to increases in water pollution.
“Can we count on the EPA to come in to test the water in St. Cloud, Florida?” Soto asked, noting that there have been discussions about the matter for ten days.
“Yes. I will follow up with my Region 4 Regional Administrator in Orlando that oversees Florida, and make sure that gets fixed,” Wheeler answered.
“Thank you, really appreciate it,” Soto said. “My test is, if I wouldn’t have my family drink the water, I wouldn’t expect our constituents. I’m sure you feel the same way.”
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
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