[DATE]
The Honorable [Name of House Representative or Senator]
[ADDRESS]RE: LOCAL WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING NEEDS
Dear [Representative or Senator (Last Name)]:
On behalf of the [Name of Your Agency], I urge you to support the Water Infrastructure Network's (WIN) recommendations to renew the federal government's commitment to America's water and wastewater infrastructure with $57 billion in new authorizations and funding over five years to capitalize state-administered grant and loan programs. This unprecedented level of investment is needed at a time when local community budget operating and maintenance costs are escalating, on average, by 6 percent a year above the rate of inflation. Current federal contributions have declined by 75 percent since 1980 and today represent less than 5 percent of total water and wastewater outlays.
To put this in perspective, I am providing you with the following information on the local needs of [Name of Your Agency] which serves the homes and businesses in [name the cities, towns and/or counties you serve].
[ Fill in with specific information on the infrastructure needs of your agency as outlined on the first page of this Alert ]
I hope you find this information useful as Congress goes forward with hearings on the needs of the nation's water and wastewater utilities. [Name of Your Agency] needs your support to create a long-term, sustainable, and reliable source of funding for clean and safe water. I can't think of a better federal investment than the health of our citizens, the integrity of our environment and the economic well-being of [Name your Community, City, County or Town].
Thank you for your consideration of this information. I hope you will make water and wastewater infrastructure funding one of your priorities this Congress. If you have any questions, please call me at [your phone number] or Ken Kirk, AMSA's Executive Director, at 202/833-4653.
Sincerely,
[Name
Title]