Funding
WWEMA has long supported sustainable financing for the nation’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, as recognized by water industry groups and the U.S. EPA. Capital needs and costs are influenced by factors such as pricing, asset age, demographic changes, security, climate, and regulatory requirements.
WWEMA advocates for several key initiatives, including full-cost pricing at utilities, improved water and energy efficiency, asset management plans, increased funding for SRF and WIFIA programs, and the removal of barriers to new technologies. It also supports greater public-private partnerships and innovative funding solutions.
The EPA has updated its Public Portal for the State Revolving Fund (SRF), providing an accessible platform for users to view data from the Drinking Water and Clean Water SRF programs through interactive reports, dashboards, and maps.
WWEMA Actions
- Works with Congress to support increased appropriations for drinking water and clean water SRFs and other funding legislation.
- Advocates for practical and enforceable science-based environmental regulations that take into account the current state of water and wastewater system technologies.
- Collaborates with various national water organizations to create a unified voice for infrastructure funding. The latest joint position paper published 7/10/20 titled, Sustainable Solutions for America’s Water and Wastewater Infrastructure: Urgent Funding and Policy Considerations.
Additional Resources
- Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) – 2022 Report & Data: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 17th clean water needs survey report that estimates total capital wastewater and stormwater treatment and collection needs of $30.1 billion over a 20-year period.
- Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment – Seventh Report to Congress: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 7th national assessment of public water system infrastructure needs shows a total 20-year capital improvement need of $628 billion from January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2040, for water systems to continue to provide safe drinking water to the public.
- Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program authorized under the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2014 to provide low-interest rate financing for the construction of water and wastewater infrastructure. Funded projects must be nationally or regionally significant and must be reasonably anticipated to cost no less than $20 million.
- U.S. Water Alliance: As a U.S. Water Alliance member, WWEMA supports the concept of One Water, One Future.