ORLANDO, Fla., March 23, 2001 — The Water Quality Association holds its 27th national convention and exhibition in Orlando, Fla., March 27-31, at the Orlando Convention Center. The exhibition, showcasing the latest in home, commercial, industrial and ultra-pure point-of-use water technologies, begins at 9 a.m., Thurs., March 29.
"This year's convention agenda is packed with hot topics, including two special workshops on arsenic, featuring Environmental Protection Agency officials who will explain the Bush administration's rationale for withdrawing new arsenic standards just this week. Plus, industry experts will discuss innovative technologies that will reduce arsenic right at home at the tap," said Carlyn Meyer, WQA Public Affairs Director.
"Right now, the debate in Washington is whether EPA's lower arsenic standard (from 50 ppb to l0 ppb) is too costly. We don't think the public should have to trade in health and welfare for dollars and cents. Our industry can protect the public effectively and at a lower cost than what the EPA or utilities have estimated."
Meyer pointed out that the association's latest research, conducted in February 2001, shows a dramatic increase in the number of Americans who think federal drinking water laws are not strict enough, rising to 49 percent in 2001 from 40 percent in l999. Only 4 percent of the adult population believes federal drinking water laws are "too strict."
In addition to hearing about the latest policy developments around arsenic, attendees at this year's convention will learn about how to clean up MTBE-contaminated water, disinfection procedures for waterborne pathogens and an array of industrial treatment technologies for the healthcare, chip manufacturing and biotech industries.
Interviews with industry experts and public health officials can be arranged.
The Water Quality Association is an international trade association representing retailers, dealers, manufacturers and suppliers in the household, commercial, industrial and small system water treatment industry. SOURCE Water Quality Association
