Clean Water Current

(March 27, 2018) – In the wake of the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) Omnibus legislative package approved last week that provided significant increases for clean water infrastructure, NACWA and the water sector are continuing to build on this momentum through increased advocacy as Congress begins the FY19 appropriations process.

NACWA and its sector partners have sent several joint letters to Senate and House Appropriators urging that strong continued federal investment for water infrastructure and related programs remain a Congressional priority in FY19. Last week, NACWA sent a letter to Interior & Environment Appropriators requesting robust federal investments for U.S. EPA’s core water programs, the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) and the Water Infrastructure Finance & Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. The letter also requests continued funding for EPA’s in Geographic watershed and state grant programs, water systems security, and water research.

NACWA has also joined its water sector partners in FY19 funding letters to the relevant Appropriations Subcommittees requesting increased funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development Water and Wastewater Loan and Grant Program, the National Priorities Water Research grant program, and the Bureau of Reclamation’s Title XVI water recycling program.

Congress has begun a two-week recess, but when it returns the Senate and House Appropriations Committees will begin conducting hearings and crafting the FY19 appropriations bills.  It is imperative that we continue to build upon the progress made by NACWA, its members, and the water sector over the past year and ensure increased federal funding is provided to meet the growing needs of communities across the country. Please contact Jason Isakovic or Kristina Surfus at NACWA to discuss further, and make sure you join us to help elevate this message at the National Water Policy Fly-In in April!