This week, Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) continued his efforts to help ensure the safety of Ohio’s drinking water. Yesterday, Portman, who has worked in a bipartisan manner on federal legislation designed to address lead exposure to drinking systems around the country, praised a federal water grant that the Agriculture Department awarded to Sebring, Ohio, to help ensure that its water supply system is safe.

Columbus ABC 6 highlighted the federal grant while also noting that “Senator Rob Portman is working on a bill to help the country’s water supply. He hopes the senate will pass the bipartisan bill in the coming weeks.” Video of the clip can be seen here. 

Portman’s bipartisan legislation to help Ohio and other states resolve drinking water crises would offer additional resources to any state – if the president declares an emergency – in order to address the lead poisoning crisis that began in Flint, Michigan. The measure also requires the EPA to notify the public within 15 days if toxic levels of lead are found in any public water system.  The measure is expected to be considered by the Senate in the coming weeks. 

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