AWWA positions on key pending legislation

COVID-19 Legislation

As Congress debates another COVID-19 relief package, AWWA has issued a Legislative Alert asking members to contact their own members of Congress about the needs of water customers and utilities. Action is need ASAP on this! AWWA and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies commissioned Raftelis to develop an economic analysis earlier this year to describe the economic plight of the water sector during this pandemic.

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

Water infrastructure legislation is starting to move through this session of Congress. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works has approved and sent to the full Senate two bills dealing with water infrastructure. S. 3590, the Drinking Water Infrastructure Act of 2020, makes some changes to the drinking water state revolving loan fund program, advances lead reduction and creates some small grant programs for resiliency and infrastructure-related activities. S. 3591, America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2020, is basically a normal two-year water resources development bill, but with some significant new features. AWWA offered its own comments on the two bills before the committee voted on them.

Water Matters! Fly-In

To protect public health during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Water Matters! Fly-In will be an online event in April 2021. Holding the event virtually will maintain the direct connection between AWWA members and their representatives and senators in U.S. Congress, while observing social distancing recommendations. AWWA is targeting the week of April 26 for our members to schedule virtual meetings with members of Congress. AWWA’s government affairs staff will provide delegates with issue briefs prior to the event. Information on registration information will be issued later this year.  

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