Water Technology Online

Thursday, May 13, 2010

WASHINGTON — The National Association of Clean Water (NACWA) has called on Senate leaders to add a “Blue Bank for Water System Mitigation and Adaptation” to comprehensive climate change legislation introduced by Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman, according to a press release.

Last year, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid introduced legislation (S. 1712) to create a “Blue Bank for Water System Mitigation and Adaptation,” which would offer local water and wastewater utilities matching grants to fund climate adaptation efforts and studies.
The recently introduced “American Power Act” does not contain any relief for communities confronting the challenges of managing their water resources in the face of climate change.

“Climate change is all about water — either there will be too much where we don’t want it or not enough where we do. And while it’s certainly important to ensure our natural ecosystems adjust to the changing climate, telling communities they are on their own when it comes to ensuring adequate drinking water supplies and avoiding sewage in their streets and rivers is not going to cut it,” said NACWA’s Executive Director Ken Kirk.