Rep. Jim Davis announces legislation to address water shortages

WASHINGTON , DC, April 30, 2004 -- As rising temperatures forecast a summer of worsening water shortages across the nation, Congressman Jim Davis has introduced bipartisan legislation to promote long term solutions to America 's water crisis.

H.R. 3834, the Desalination Energy Assistance Act of 2004, introduced on April 21,would lend a helping hand to communities that are working to address their water problems. Specifically, the bill would establish a grant program to support state or publicly owned facilities that are actively desalinating sea or brackish water for municipal or industrial use.

97.5 percent of the water on Earth is seawater. Desalination taps into that vital resource to generate a reliable drought-proof water supply that can be produced in an environmentally sound manner.

"With every scorching summer, America rapidly depletes our fresh water supply," said Congressman Jim Davis . "It is time for Congress to take steps to help water parched communities take advantage of innovative technology to address water shortages and plan for the future."

H.R. 3834 would provide payments of 62 cents per thousand gallons of water that are produced and sold from qualified desalination facilities that go into operation after the bill is enacted. Advances in technology have dramatically reduced the costs associated with desalination. The Desalination Energy Assistance Act will help communities invest in this technology, making the infrastructure even less expensive in the future.

"Floridians know the importance of securing a reliable and safe supply of drinkable water, and they know that addressing water shortages will take long term solutions," said Congressman Davis.