FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2020                                                                    

Media Contact:­
David Zielonka | Manager, Media and Communications
(202) 981-3786 | dzielonka@nacwa.org
                                                     

House Passes FY21 Appropriations Package with Unprecedented Funding Levels for Public Clean Water Sector

Statement from NACWA CEO Applauds Congress’s Recognition of Need to Fund Clean Water Projects

(Washington, D.C.) – Friday afternoon the U.S. House of Representatives voted to advance its first Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) omnibus appropriations package, H.R. 7608, which includes strong investments in clean water programs, including $8.5 billion in FY21 funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), which is nearly five times that of current levels.

Adam Krantz, NACWA’s Chief Executive Officer, issued the following statement:

"On behalf of public clean water utilities around the country, I applaud the House of Representatives for including robust funding for the public clean water sector in today’s legislation. At a time when clean water agencies are doing more than ever to protect public health, the environment, and support economic growth, the funding proposed in this omnibus appropriations package is a much needed step forward in providing communities across the country with the financial investments needed to help with their rapidly growing and evolving clean water infrastructure needs. The current level of federal investment in the sector is below five percent nationwide, a number that falls far short of what communities need from their federal partner and is drastically less than what the federal government spends on nearly every other infrastructure sector. NACWA looks forward to continuing to work with Congress throughout the FY21 appropriations process to ensure strong federal funding for the public clean water sector is passed into law.”

The bill is not without challenges, most notably related to the lack of new funding and rescinding of FY17-FY19 funding for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. NACWA extends a special thank you to Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA) for her work to secure inclusion of an amendment to the bill emphasizing that communities currently pursuing a WIFIA loan are not required to restart the application process and therefore able to receive the financing they need. NACWA thanks the members and staff of the House Appropriations Committee for their continued commitment to funding clean water programs. 

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About NACWA

For nearly 50 years, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) has been the nation’s recognized leader in legislative, regulatory, legal and communications advocacy on the full spectrum of clean water issues. NACWA represents public wastewater and stormwater agencies of all sizes nationwide. Our unique and growing network strengthens the advocacy voice for the public clean water sector and helps advance policies to provide affordable and sustainable clean water for all.  Our vision is to advance sustainable and responsible policy initiatives that help to shape a strong and sustainable clean water future. For more information, visit us at www.nacwa.org.