NAWC Applauds Introduction Of 'Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act'

The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) applauds the reintroduction of the “Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act” (S. 3358) by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Mike Crapo (R-ID). The “Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act” would stimulate private investment in drinking water and wastewater systems by modifying the tax code to remove state volume caps on the issuances of government private activity bonds. This is the same tax treatment other types of public infrastructure already receive, including airports, high-speed rail, and the solid waste disposal industry.

“There’s widespread consensus that our nation’s water infrastructure needs an investment boost. And there’s no doubt that investment is also good for our economy. If enacted into law, this legislation could bring billions in new water infrastructure investment and help create and support more than 1.4 million jobs,” explained NAWC President and CEO Robert Powelson. “Eliminating the volume cap on water infrastructure will lead to new drinking water and wastewater infrastructure investment, while allowing the issuance of exempt facility bonds provides municipalities with a lower cost financing option. All of this adds up to a major win for our water systems, communities and each and every American.”

Private Activity Bonds (PAB) are a form of tax-exempt financing for state and municipal governments that want to partner with a private entity to meet a public need. Exempt facility bonds utilize private capital instead of public debt and shift the risk and long-term debt from the municipality to the private partner. The tax-exempt bonds provide lower cost financing, which, in turn, provides lower costs for customers. In addition, eliminating the volume cap on water infrastructure along with other regulatory changes could lead to an additional $43B in incremental private water infrastructure investment; $15-25B in incremental private wastewater infrastructure investment; and generate a potential $20B from public-private partnerships.

The “Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act” (H.R. 3009) was introduced in the House by Congressmen John Duncan (R-TN) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ). NAWC urges swift passage of the “Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act” in order to facilitate and expedite investment in America’s water infrastructure.

About The NAWC
The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) represents regulated water and wastewater companies, as well as ones engaging in partnerships with municipal utilities. NAWC members provide 73 million Americans with safe and reliable water service every day and have an exceptional record of compliance with federal and state health and environmental regulations. Ensuring this high standard of quality requires extraordinary amounts of capital investment. NAWC estimates that its six largest members alone are collectively investing $2.7B each year in their water and wastewater systems.