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On Tap in Washington March 2018

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | March 25, 2018

As Congress and the Administration struggle to close the book on funding for the fiscal year that began in October 2017, water infrastructure funding appears to have come out on top. After several extensions and a government shutdown, funding for Fiscal Year 2018 has finally been settled. Despite decreases or outright cuts to main federal water infrastructure programs in the President’s Budget as well as the House appropriations bills, and stable funding in the Senate appropriations bills, water infrastructure funding increased in the FY18 Omnibus package. | More >

Reaching Affordability Through Community Partnerships

Suzi Warren, Program Associate, US Water Alliance | March 16, 2018

Utilities across the country grapple with affordability concerns for their customers. The heart of the issue is ensuring that everyone has access to affordable water and sewer service, while also generating sufficient utility revenues to cover rising costs, deal with aging infrastructure, and protect public health. | More >

US Water Alliance Joins Great Lakes One Water Partnership

Emily Simonson, Program Manager, US Water Alliance | March 15, 2018

The US Water Alliance is a proud participant in the Great Lakes One Water Partnership, a multi-year, basin-wide initiative focused on engaging shoreline community foundations as a force multipliers to advance a new era of water management in the region.   | More >

An Equitable Water Future: Opportunities for the Great Lakes Region

Elizabeth Cisar, Senior Program Officer, Joyce Foundation | March 6, 2018

At the Joyce Foundation, we understand that our region’s vitality depends on clean water in our lakes and streams, in our homes, and where we work, that's why we supported An Equitable Water Future, Opportunities for the Great Lakes Region.  | More >

Getting the Job Done with Public and Private Partners

Suzi Warren, Program Associate, US Water Alliance | March 5, 2018

For the nation at large, to attract more investment and innovation to water management, we need to address barriers to putting private money and expertise to work, while making sure that communities’ needs are met and all partners benefit. Many publicly owned utilities utilize private companies to assist in things like planning, engineering, technology application, project delivery, operations, maintenance, and management. Finding the right solution, and unique ways to utilize private businesses for individual communities was a guiding principle behind the creation of the fourth policy brief in the One Water for America Policy Framework: Blend Public and Private Expertise and Investment to Address Water Infrastructure Needs. | More >

On Tap in Washington February 2018

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | February 27, 2018

The President laid out key markers this month for his plan on infrastructure. Over the last few weeks, the State of the Union, the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2019, and the President’s Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America each addressed the critical issue of infrastructure. | More >

Harnessing the Power of Arts to Secure Our Water Future

Radhika Fox, CEO, US Water Alliance | February 15, 2018

At the US Water Alliance, we believe that the key to securing a sustainable water future for all relies on an integrated and inclusive approach to managing our water infrastructure and resources. We refer to this paradigm shift as a One Water approach. And we’ve seen how integrating arts and culture can help us reach those goals.  | More >

Federal, State, and Local Perspectives: Sustaining Water Infrastructure Funding

Suzi Warren, Program Associate, US Water Alliance | February 14, 2018

Across the country, communities’ needs for capital continue to grow as they rise to meet challenges like water system development and renewal, regulatory compliance, changing weather patterns, and the increasing costs of day-to-day utility operations. A big resurgence in federal spending is unlikely in the foreseeable future, so revenue from ratepayers will continue to be the driving force in water infrastructure investment. The wider issue of maintaining the funding programs we have that work, understanding the full cost of service and what that means for funding, and finding money through best practices are the guiding ideas behind the third policy brief in the One Water for America Policy Framework: Sustain Adequate Funding for Water Infrastructure. | More >

Trumpeting a Solution for the Mammoth Flushable Wipe Problem

Submitted by the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority | February 12, 2018

Nationwide, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) puts the total cost of sewer problems caused by wipes, paper towels and feminine hygiene products in the billions of dollars.  And with rags and wipes playing a role in as many as a third of sewer blockages in Albuquerque, the community’s Water Authority in 2017 identified the issue as a communications priority.  | More >

Agriculture Allies: How Agriculture-Utility Partnerships Build One Water Outcomes

Suzi Warren, Program Associate, US Water Alliance | February 8, 2018

Successful partnerships between the agriculture and the water sector are possible and essential to drive the nation towards One Water outcomes. The US agricultural system is globally known for its high productivity, quality, and efficiency in delivering goods that benefit consumers. Agriculture is also one of the largest users of water in the US, and runoff from agricultural lands is believed to be the largest single source of nonpoint source pollution in US waterways. This challenge is complex and requires meeting on common ground, building relationships with farmers, and developing mutual trust. As one of best opportunities to bridge the divide between land management and water management, this topic regularly arose in each of the US Water Alliance’s One Water for America Listening Sessions, and is the focus of Big Idea 2: Accelerate Agriculture-Utility Partnerships to Improve Water Quality. | More >