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For Immediate Release: Sept. 17, 2007

Contacts:
Susan Bruninga, Director of Legislative and Public Affairs, NACWA, 202-595-4082
Jeff More, Principal,The Accord Group, 202-289-9800

Join Sen. Boxer and Key Organizations for a Rally/Press Briefing on Clean Water Funding

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Environment Public Works Committee, and representatives from key national organizations will participate in a rally Sept. 18 in support of increased federal funding for clean water infrastructure.  The Rally/Press Briefing will take place in Room 628 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building from 3:00-3:30 pm.

In addition to Senator Boxer, the rally will include representatives from the National Association of Clean water Agencies (NACWA) Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), American Rivers, and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the Water Environment Federation (WEF).

These and other organizations and individuals will be on hand to urge the Senate to introduce and pass legislation similar to the Water Quality Financing Act of 2007 (H.R. 720), which passed the House this spring in a 303-108 vote.  H.R. 720 would reauthorize the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) at $14 billion over four years and call on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study long-term, viable revenue sources for a clean water trust fund.

With the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act just a month away, this rally/press briefing presents the perfect opportunity to make sure Congress receives the message that now is the time for a federal recommitment to the nation’s vital water and wastewater infrastructure and to the ideals that led to the passage of the 1972 Clean Water Act.  Congress must act now to address an estimated $300-500 billion water infrastructure funding gap over the next 20 years.

The rally also precedes a critical hearing on Sept. 19 before the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security, and Water Quality, to explore solutions to a growing clean water infrastructure funding gap.

In the long term, a federal recommitment to clean water should involve a viable long-term, dedicated source of revenue to bridge the clean water infrastructure funding gap.  The best way to accomplish this is through a federal clean water infrastructure trust fund that would provide a reliable source of financial assistance for the construction and repair of water and wastewater infrastructure.  Clean and safe water is no less a national priority than an adequate system of interstate highways and a safe and efficient aviation system.  If these other highly important infrastructure programs enjoy sustainable, long-term sources of federal investment, water and wastewater infrastructure should as well.

 


NACWA represents the interests of the nation’s publicly owned wastewater treatment works, serving the majority of the sewered population in the United States, collectively treating and reclaiming over 18 billion gallons of wastewater every day.


1816 Jefferson Place, Washington, DC 20036-2505 • 202.833.2672 • 202.833.4657 FAX • http://www.nacwa.org/