Public Clean Water Sector Applauds Senate For Clean Water State Revolving Fund Authorization Package

Statement by NACWA CEO Highlights Needs of Public Clean Water Sector Addressed by Legislation

Wednesday morning, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee unanimously passed the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure ACT (DWWIA) of 2021. NACWA ardently supports efforts to increase the levels of funding in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and views this is a critical step in ensuring water receives appropriate focus in the upcoming Biden infrastructure package.

The following provisions were included in the bill and supported by NACWA:

• Reauthorization of the CWSRF at $14.5B over five years
• Reauthorization of Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants at $1.4B over five years
• Directing U.S. EPA to assess low-income water needs around the country and authorization of a pilot program to develop and implement programs to assist low-income households in maintaining access to affordable and reliable clean water services
• Reauthorization of WIFIA at $250M over five years
• Reauthorization of the Water Workforce Infrastructure grants program at $25M over five years
• Establishment of a new Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program authorized at $225M over five years
• Authorization of a U.S. EPA study that examines the state of existing and potential future technologies – key components of the bipartisan Advanced Research Projects Agency – Water (ARPA-H2O)
• Authorization of $5M for U.S. EPA to complete an updated Clean Watersheds Needs Survey
• Authorization of a U.S. EPA pilot program to assist with fifteen public clean water utility projects to create or improve waste-to-energy systems
• Reauthorization of the Alternative Water Source Projects Program at $225M over five years

Reauthorizing core water programs including the CWSRF have been a priority for years, and NACWA applauds the bipartisan efforts by the Committee to advance the reauthorizations early this Congress. As the President and Congress consider approaches to a transformative infrastructure investment package, these reauthorizations help position core water programs for funding.

Adam Krantz, Chief Executive Officer of NACWA, issued the following statement:

“NACWA applauds the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee for unanimously passing the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure ACT (DWWIA) of 2021. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is an integral part of how municipal public water utilities pay for much-needed capital investments and we are grateful to the Senate Committee for the increase of $14.5B over five years.

“Now, we must look forward to working with President Biden and Congress to ensure public clean water infrastructure is front and center in the upcoming infrastructure package. For too long, water utilities have been left without a strong federal partner and have had to pay for critical capital investments by raising rates on households already struggling with income insecurity. I am confident that this next infrastructure package will place clean water needs alongside other critical infrastructure sectors, where it rightfully belongs.”

NACWA thanks the leadership and members of the Senate EPW Committee for their continued support of the public clean water sector and looks forward to continuing to work with both chambers of Congress to advance clean water.

About NACWA
For 50 years, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) has been the nation’s recognized leader in legislative, regulatory, legal and communications advocacy on the full spectrum of clean water issues. NACWA represents public wastewater and stormwater agencies of all sizes nationwide. Our unique and growing network strengthens the advocacy voice for the public clean water sector and helps advance policies to provide affordable and sustainable clean water for all. Our vision is to advance sustainable and responsible policy initiatives that help to shape a strong and sustainable clean water future. For more information, visit www.nacwa.org.