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NACWA urges you to get involved in the Clean Water Funding Network (www.cleanwaterfunding.org), a website providing a one-stop shop for news, communications tools, and utility discussions on issues related to the funding of water infrastructure. The website reaches out to representatives of public clean water agencies — NACWA members and nonmembers alike — to build an informed and powerful network of support for a broad array of funding and financing issues. The timing and importance of this initiative cannot be overstated. Quite simply, public clean water agencies provide essential environmental and public health services that deserve and demand continued and increased support from their state and federal partners.

A coalition of advocates sharing their information and experiences through Clean Water Funding Network can help ensure successful advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. Policymakers are already starting to hear and respond to these messages, making it even more imperative that the clean water community continue to make its point. Consider the uptick in recent activity in Washington concerning clean water funding:

• The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (stimulus package) becomes law providing $6 billion for ready-to-go clean water and drinking water projects.
• The House has passed a $14 billion clean water state revolving fund (CWSRF) bill, and the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee has reported out a $38.5 billion CWSRF/drinking water (DWSRF) bill.
• Members of the House and Senate continue to discuss the idea of a capital budget or an infrastructure bank to address water and wastewater infrastructure needs.
• Efforts are building to make the bond market more accessible as a result of the economic downturn.
• The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is expected to release a report soon on revenue sources for a clean water trust fund, and Congress stands ready to introduce legislation to create a trust fund.
• The Obama administration is demonstrating a renewed commitment to clean water with a budget request for fiscal year 2010 that significantly boosts funding for the clean water and drinking water state revolving funds.
• Issues related to affordability concerns for ratepayers are gaining momentum.

Many of these activities are works in progress, and Congress needs hear from public clean water agencies to ensure they get the priority attention they deserve. The Clean Water Funding Network will keep its members informed of these activities through regular updates and calls for action. The website will provide updated information and resources on:

• The latest local, state and national news about clean water funding.
• An outreach toolkit with letters, press releases, fact sheets and other tools that will help you communicate with your elected officials and local news media.
• A password-protected on-line forum, or blog, where you can chat with your colleagues around the country about funding issues.
• Regular conference calls to discuss priority funding issues and develop strategies for advocacy efforts.

Members of the network are encouraged to submit and share their own news items and resources that may be valuable in the effort to advocate for clean water funding. NACWA has been working with Jodi Perras, of Perras and Associates, a firm that specializes in public relations for the clean water community, to get the website going and help promote it.

Remember that the network is open to all clean water utilities, even those who are not NACWA members, and there is no cost to join. Please feel free to invite friends and colleagues to join our network at www.cleanwaterfunding.org.

For more information on this valuable new resource, please contact NACWA’s This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at (202) 833-3280 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at (317) 407-0148.