Clean Water Current
Water Resources Legislation Passes House, on Deck in Senate
(September 18, 2018) – By a unanimous vote, the House passed the 2018 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) S. 3021, last week. The Senate is expected to vote on and pass the bill in the coming weeks, possibly as early as this week.
WRDA authorizes individual US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) water resources projects and is considered a “must-pass” bill every two years. However, Congress has more recently expanded its scope to address municipal water infrastructure issues as well. NACWA has been working with both the House and Senate to secure inclusion of provisions in S. 3021 that are important to the clean water sector.
Consequently, the final WRDA bill includes increased funding authorizations for the Water Infrastructure Finance & Innovation Act (WIFIA) program, at $50 million in each fiscal year 2020 and 2021 (FY20 and FY21). WIFIA, originally developed as a pilot program, is permanently authorized in S.3021. The legislation also includes a new program to help bolster financing for the State Revolving Funds (SRFs) and renews authorization of $225 million annually for the Combined Sewer Overflow grants program in both FY19 and FY20.
Further, the bill includes language establishing a pilot program for EPA to work with utilities on developing water workforce training programs, with an authorization of $1 million for each of the next two fiscal years to support grants for water workforce programs. Also included is the creation of an EPA task force which will include local government representation to study and provide recommendations on how to address stormwater funding and financing. Additionally, language that NACWA championed along with the WateReuse Association was included to improve coordination between the USACE and local communities on water management plans.
NACWA is continuing to analyze the legislation and will soon be providing a more in-depth rundown of key provisions. In the meantime, please contact Kristina Surfus or Jason Isakovic, NACWA’s Legislative Directors, with any questions.