(February 19, 2019) – With the 116th Congress now well under way, NACWA encourages all of its members to engage with their respective U.S. Representatives and  Senators about the value that public clean water utilities bring to their communities and the challenges faced each day in providing these essential services. 

If your utility has federal elected officials on the key House and/or Senate committees of jurisdiction over clean water issues, you outreach is even more vital. 

Over the past few years, strong advocacy by NACWA members has played an important role in advancing key legislation into law such as the 2018 Farm Bill, codifying EPA’s Integrated Planning Framework, and increased appropriations for the SRFs and other federal water infrastructure funding programs. 

As this new Congress looks to advance bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and increase CWSRF funding and a comprehensive infrastructure package with water as a priority, NACWA member engagement will continue to be crucial. 

Member engagement and advocacy can be done through reaching out to your Representatives and Senators to invite them to take a facility tour, meeting with them and their staffs when visiting Washington, DC during Water Week 2019 or throughout the year to discuss key policy priorities, or connecting with their state staff to make them aware of specific local issues and impacts.

NACWA’s Congressional Toolbox is a helpful resource to do this. For more information or questions regarding outreach, please contact Kristina Surfus or Jason Isakovic, NACWA’s Legislative Directors.