EPA announced on March 29 that municipal grant funding is now available for the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Program. Funding for this Program was originally authorized 20 years ago but money was never appropriated until the 2018 and 2019 America’s Water Infrastructure Act process that secured $28 million and $40 million in appropriations, respectively. NACWA is pleased that the funding is now available for this Program and encourages members to apply.

Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) reintroduced the "Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act" on March 25th, taking the reins from recently retired Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) to champion this legislation.

On March 29th, U.S. Representatives Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) and Steve Stivers (R-OH), who Co-Chair the bipartisan House Municipal Finance Caucus, re-introduced the Investing in Our Communities Act.

In 2013, Alexandria Renew Enterprises (AlexRenew), the wastewater treatment provider in Alexandria, Virginia, established a partnership with Urban Alliance (UA), a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting underserved youth through paid, professional internships, workplace readiness training, and mentorship. Building on its role as a resource to the community it serves, AlexRenew saw this partnership as an opportunity to bridge the gap of workforce development needs, while preparing Alexandria’s most vulnerable young people for professional success.

On Wednesday, March 31, 2021, President Biden released his Build Back Better plan, outlining his vision for mobilizing the country to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure, improve economic competitiveness, and address climate change. In its plan, the Administration has proposed a total of $111 billion dollars in clean water and drinking water investments.