Congress considering investigation of DC’s water supply

(UC) -- A Washington, D.C. based congresswoman introduced provisions to the Water Resources Development Act that would study whether D.C. needs to increase its water supply, FOX 5 reported.

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is a biennial legislation that authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers activities for flood control, navigation and ecosystem restoration.

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., introduced the provisions in the interest of discovering whether D.C. needs another water reservoir, the FOX article states. Currently, D.C.’s water comes from the Potomac River, then it is stored in the only reservoir, the Washington Aqueduct, until it is distributed to the city.

Norton is concerned about there being only one reservoir and water source, the article states.

"Contrast that to cities like New York, San Francisco, which have at least two supplies and are looking for a third one. So we are in a bind," Norton said to FOX 5.

The Potomac River has been a reliable water source used since around the time of the Civil War, said Michael Nardolilli with the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, but climate change has led to less predictable circumstances, the article states.

If passed, the bill would also study whether allowing people to swim in the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers is a good idea, as well as examining flood mitigation plans in Federal Triangle, FOX 5 reported.

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