Clean Water Current
Water Sector, Municipal Groups Highlight Importance of Federal Investment at Congressional Briefing
NACWA joined a broad coalition of water and local government partners this week to brief Congressional staff on why water infrastructure funding and financing programs, especially the State Revolving Funds (SRFs), are essential to water quality, public health and affordability. 
The briefing, titled “Strong Infrastructure, Smart Spending: Investing in Affordable, Reliable Water," featured panelists representing a range of stakeholders involved in water infrastructure investment and included Kishia L. Powell, NACWA Board Member and General Manager and CEO of WSSC Water.
Other panelists included:
- Scott Berry, US Water Alliance
- Zachary Schafer, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Maryland Department of the Environment
- Tad Bohannon, CEO, Central Arkansas Water
- Dan Buckley, Mid-Atlantic Pre-Construction Executive, Garney Construction
- Amy Stevens, Watershed Restoration Division Chief, Montgomery County (Md.) Department of Environmental Protection
Panelists highlighted how the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRFs remain among the most effective federal-state partnerships in the country, and how through the SRFs, utilities are better able to manage affordability, public health, and regulatory compliance, while also driving economic growth in their communities. They also shared specific examples of how SRF funding has helped make critical clean water investments in their communities and in their states.
This briefing was part of NACWA’s continued advocacy to highlight the importance of federal investment in America’s aging water infrastructure systems, specifically the critical role that the Clean Water SRF has for clean water utilities.
NACWA encourages members to contact their members of Congress and advocate for reauthorization of the Clean Water SRF through 2031 at or above the current authorization levels of $3.25 billion. Members may use this template to help with outreach.
NACWA thanks Kishia Powell for participating in the briefing and providing a critical public clean water agency perspective. NACWA also thanks the American Public Works Association for helping organize the briefing and inviting NACWA to participate.
Members with questions may contact Kaitlyn Montán, NACWA’s Director of Legislative Affairs.