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Washington DC Update—July 2020

Scott Berry, Policy Director, US Water Alliance | July 31, 2020

July had quite a bit of activity on the legislative front, with a shrinking number of working days left before the approaching election. Early on, the House passed their $1.5 trillion infrastructure package. This large bill is based in part on a $760 billion infrastructure framework unveiled in January by House Democrats. Parts of that as well as more recent legislation on surface transportation, energy, and other infrastructure were stitched together into a larger master proposal that lays down a clear marker of where Democrats want to go in the infrastructure space. The package (prior to amendments) would invest $25 billion into the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), including a new program to assist drinking water systems with projects related to removing emerging contaminants like PFAS. On the wastewater side, the bill would invest $40 billion in the Clean Water SRF. The bill also exempts water and sewer projects from the state allocation cap on private activity bonds, potentially unlocking billions in private investment in water infrastructure.  | More >

As Waters Rise, So Must We. New Report Calls for Equitable Solutions to Urban Flooding

Katy Lackey, Senior Program Manager, US Water Alliance | July 15, 2020

Flooding is the most common, costly, and deadly disaster we face. Over 30 million Americans already live in high-risk flood zones and flooding costs our nation more than $8 billion every year. Climate change is making this worse. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a highly active hurricane season this year. Beyond extreme events, however, some studies estimate localized flooding events have increased more than 300 percent in recent years. Historical redlining practices and a lack of infrastructure investment have placed Black and Brown communities and low-income populations in low-lying areas and areas that flood more frequently. As our nation grapples with a changing climate, we must address these inequities. Utilities – and all water stakeholders – have a key role to play in this endeavor. | More >

Washington DC Update—June 2020

Scott Berry, Policy Director, US Water Alliance | June 26, 2020

Lots of interesting action this month on the regulatory and the legislative fronts. Democrats in the House of Representatives introduced HR 2, the Moving Forward Act, a long-awaited $1.5 trillion infrastructure package. This large bill is based in part on a $760 billion infrastructure framework unveiled in January by House Democrats. Parts of that as well as more recent legislation on surface transportation, energy, and other infrastructure were stitched together into a larger master proposal that lays down a clear marker of where Democrats want to go in the infrastructure space. For water, the package would invest $25 billion into the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), including a new program to assist drinking water systems with projects related to removing emerging contaminants like PFAS. On the wastewater side, the bill would invest $40 billion in the Clean Water SRF. The bill also exempts water and sewer projects form the state allocation cap on private activity bonds, potentially unlocking billions in private investment in water infrastructure. | More >

Solving US Drinking Water Challenges with Policy Innovations

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | June 16, 2020

Over the course of several months in late 2019 and early 2020, the US Water Alliance and Water Foundation facilitated four regional roundtables to better understand the drinking water challenges confronting communities, and the ways that diverse stakeholders are driving policy solutions at the state and tribal level. The drinking water challenges facing America today are numerous, and include aging infrastructure, contamination, lack of access, and affordability, among others. Many of these challenges that people face have since been exacerbated as COVID-19 hit the United States and have been highlighted by the country’s ongoing discussions around structural racism and its impacts on Black, Indigenous, and communities of color. Today, the US Water Alliance is proud to share the results of our roundtables, the great stories we heard, and the common elements of success we learned in a new report in partnership with the Water Foundation: Policy Innovations to Secure Drinking Water for All. The report highlights the successful collaborations between community organizers, nonprofit leaders, public officials, utility managers, and funders, and features eight case studies that illustrate the power of cross-sector collaboration to define drinking water problems and co-create solutions.  | More >

A statement of solidarity from our CEO

Radhika Fox, CEO, US Water Alliance | June 2, 2020

These are difficult and painful times. The recent murder of George Floyd is the latest manifestation of systemic racism and injustice in our society. African Americans, along with other communities of color, are being disproportionately harmed by police brutality, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting economic hardship. If we are to make real change in this country, we need to reform the institutions and systems that do not serve all people equitably. We need to prioritize equitable investments in communities that have been disinvested in for so long.  | More >

Washington DC Update—May 2020

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | May 28, 2020

 

The Senate has been back in session since last week, and one of the first things they took up in Committee was the unanimous advancement of a pair of water bills. These were the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) and the Drinking Water Infrastructure Act. America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 is the 2020 version of what used to be called the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) bill, which Congress considers now on a two-year cycle. The bulk of these pieces of legislation are typically water resources project for the US Army Corps of Engineers but the last several cycles have had growing portions focused water/wastewater. The 2018 version of this legislation dealt more on the drinking water side, and during the process of crafting the 2020 bill, congressional staff expressed interest, especially on the Senate side, in keeping the 2020 bill more focused on the wastewater side.

In the Senate, a single committee deals with Drinking Water and Wastewater issues whereas in the House it is split between two committees. In the interest of expediting the legislative process, keeping AWIA 2020 just USACE and Wastewater meant only a single committee in the House would be needed to work with the Senate, which is much farther along than the House this cycle. If there was enough support on the Senate side for drinking water legislation, it would move at the same time, but in a separate bill – hence the Drinking Water Infrastructure Act. | More >

Small Water System Infrastructure Must Be Part Of Our Country's COVID Recovery

Nathan Ohle, RCAP CEO & Radhika Fox, US Water Alliance CEO | May 27, 2020

Every community – big and small, rural and urban – relies on water. Water is a public health and sanitation issue, as well as economic, agricultural, and recreational issue. No community can thrive without access to water. While most people in the United States can access water without concerns about its safety or affordability, many communities struggle daily to access clean, safe, affordable water.

Of the approximately 150,000 public water systems in the United States, more than 97 percent serve small communities of 10,000 or fewer people. Smaller communities and the smaller water systems that serve them have unique challenges and perspectives, as well as valuable relationships and a collaborative spirit that can serve every community well during a crisis. On a national level, leaders need to embrace that attitude and work to ensure every community – whether it has a population of a hundred or a hundred thousand - has access to safe, affordable, and reliable water. | More >

Thanks, Kevin!

Emily Simonson, Senior Manager, Strategy and Special Projects, US Water Alliance | May 18, 2020

Dear Kevin Jhingory (Sewer Services Foreman at DC Water),

People show their appreciation for essential workers a lot these days. We post signs in our windows, start clapping at a certain time every day, are (hopefully) kinder to the ones we happen to encounter—and, no doubt, we have a lot to thank them for!  

But when you shared your story on the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation webinar, you reminded all of us watching that most people don’t really think about those who keep water flowing in and out of our homes safely. So, not that you asked for gratitude, but sincerely on behalf of the many listeners who were so moved by your story: thank you! We recognize and appreciate you. | More >

Washington DC Update—April 2020

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | April 28, 2020

April was a tumultuous month in DC. With the passage of Phase 3 of the federal government’s relief efforts in the ongoing COVID-19 crisis at the end of March, focus turned to what would be next. Early in the month, discussions for an infrastructure focused Phase 4 started to heat up. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) discussed the House Democrats’ targets, which included passing a large infrastructure package. The basis for this was to be the sweeping $760 billion infrastructure framework unveiled in January by House Democrats. This framework included more than $75 billion combined for clean water and drinking water infrastructure programs. Also included is a new funding vehicle, called the Low-Income Household Drinking Water Wastewater Assistance Program, that would give states and tribes the ability to obtain grants to assist low-income households in paying their drinking water and wastewater utility bills. Funded at $1.5 billion, the new program is modeled after the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also called for an infrastructure bill "but it has to be big, bold, pro-worker, and green." | More >

Back to Basics on Earth Day 2020 – Healthy Watersheds and Climate Security

Katy Lackey, Senior Program Manager, US Water Alliance and Diana Toledo, Leadership Development Director, River Network | April 22, 2020

Fifty years ago, the world celebrated Earth Day for the first time. Over 20 million people hit the streets demanding action for environmental protection and a “new way forward for our planet.”  A year earlier, in 1969, the Cuyahoga River caught fire due to a thick oil slick and smog. Though it was not the first time – nor the only river to do so – this event sparked unprecedented levels of public attention to water quality issues across the nation, ultimately coalescing around the authorization of the Clean Water Act in 1972. In the 50 years since, we have made a great deal of progress as a nation. But these days, it can be difficult to think back  50 days ago, let alone to what the next 50 years can bring. | More >