(February 19, 2020) – EPA released its annual Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act report last week, highlighting the data-driven process behind the 14 loans made to public water utilities throughout 2019. The association has long been an advocate for this program at the federal level, working with the Agency and other federal government stakeholders to provide loans to address the infrastructure needs of America’s public clean water sector. Of the 14 recipients, eight were NACWA member utilities. 
 
From April 2018 to December 2019, the WIFIA program has closed fourteen loans totaling over $3.5 billion in 10 states, saving borrowers $1.2 billion compared to issuing bonds and improving water infrastructure for over 20 million people. Borrowers include local government entities, utilities, a state infrastructure financing authority, and a joint powers authority. The 14 WIFIA loans, ranging in size from $20.7 million to $699 million, are financing the rehabilitation and construction of water, wastewater, and stormwater systems to address aging infrastructure, meet regulatory requirements, and improve communities’ long-term strategic planning.