3
outreach meetings with new Members of Congress.
Throughout the year, NACWA led coalitions of municipal wa-
ter and wastewater associations, local and state government
organizations, and conservation groups in urging Congress
to maintain robust funding levels for the Clean and Safe
Drinking SRF programs. As Congress wrapped up the FY11
spending package, NACWA saw some success as deep cuts
to the programs were avoided and $2.5 billion in funding was
maintained. As Congress undertook deliberations for the
FY12 spending packages, NACWA helped secure the bi-par-
tisan support of over thirty Senators for a “Dear Colleague”
letter organized by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Senator
James Inhofe (D-OK) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) urging
Senate appropriators to maintain robust funding for the SRF
programs. As always, NACWA will continue to lead efforts
to ensure that federal funding for wastewater infrastruc-
ture remains a priority for policymakers on Capitol Hill.