Appropriations

AWWA urges Congress, as it considers the fiscal year 2020 budget, to provide fully authorized funding for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program and for the drinking water and wastewater state revolving loan fund programs (SRF). Since Congress began providing funds for WIFIA to begin making loans in FY2017, water utilities across the country have become more and more interested in seeking loans for the larger-scale projects that WIFIA can support.

The SRFs are long-established finance tools, primarily for small to medium-sized projects focused on regulatory compliance. AWWA urges that no funds be appropriated for the recently created SRF-WIN program as it does not fill any infrastructure finance needs and could become a real budget burden.

PFAS

AWWA, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, the National Association of Water Companies and the National Rural Water Association on Aug. 8, 2019, sent a joint letter to members of Congress working on defense legislation asking that a number of concerns related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) be addressed. You can read the joint letter here.

Farm Bill

Congress made a tremendous leap forward in furthering protection of many of our nation’s sources of drinking water in H.R. 2 in the 115th Congress, also known as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. AWWA members and staff held many meetings with members of the House and Senate agricultural committees as they developed the conservation title of H.R. 2. We look forward to working with producers, utilities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is helping with the implementation of conservation programs that protect source waters.

Water Infrastructure Finance

AWWA applauds Congress’ reauthorization of the WIFIA and drinking water SRF program in S. 3021, enacted in the 115th Congress. The bill reauthorized the drinking water SRF program for the first time since 2003. While the SRF received a three-year reauthorization, WIFIA got a two-year reauthorization, meaning the issue will come up again toward the end of the 116th Congress. AWWA looks forward to working with Congress to further extend this popular program and make some adjustments, such as increasing the percentage of a project’s costs that WIFIA may support.

Canceled: 2020 Water Maters! Fly In 

Given the federal recommendations against most travel and against gatherings of more than 10 people, bans on staff travel by municipal and state governments, plus societal responsibilities to try to contain the coronavirus, AWWA is canceling the 2020 edition of our Water Matters! Fly-In. While we don’t know how large a problem the coronavirus will be in six weeks – the scheduled date for the Fly-In – recommendations for reducing travel and for social distancing extend beyond that time. Learn more here.

Have additional Fly In Questions? Email us at Flyininfo@awwa.org