Clean Water Advocacy - Newsroom - NACWA in the News
Clean Water Trust Fund Gains Traction at
House Hearings
Jun 16, 2005 WaterWorld
WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2005 -- The House Water Resources and
Environment Subcommittee held the second of two hearings on June 14 exploring
investment approaches to bridge the growing clean water funding gap. The U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency, the Congressional Budget Office, the General
Accounting Office and Water Infrastructure Network all agree that the nation
faces a national water infrastructure funding gap in the hundreds of billions of
dollars over the next 20 years. Simply stated, without a sustainable federal
recommitment to clean water funding, we risk losing the 30 years of water
quality progress enjoyed under the Clean Water Act.
The Subcommittee's June 8 hearing focused on testimony from several witnesses on
the need for, and economic viability of, a clean water trust fund. Frank Luntz,
president of Luntz Research Companies, discussed recent polling data that found
overwhelming public support for such a trust fund. Luntz found that such support
is far greater than for highways or aviation which respectively already enjoy
$30 billion/year and $8 billion/year federal trust funds. When talking about the
need for federal action on clean water funding, Luntz said "this issue is not
going to go away. It is not simply an environmental issue. It is not simply a
health issue. Clean water and wastewater management is very personal to voters
because it impacts Americans every single day of the year. This is not a local
issue because water has no local boundaries. This is one of those areas, and
there aren't many, where Americans demand that Washington take responsibility. "
Ken Rubin, managing partner with PA Consulting Group, testified on behalf of the
National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) regarding the need for, and
economic viability of, a clean water trust fund. Rubin stated that "the trust
fund generates benefits across society. Cleaner water has been shown to reduce
health effects in the public, increase access to water-based recreations,
increase property values and development opportunities, and increase fisheries
and shellfisheries. All of this new economic activity results in job creation,
greater worker productivity and increased tax bases at all levels of government.
"
NACWA believes these hearings constitute a critical step toward the introduction
and passage of legislation to create a clean water trust fund. This would both
secure the long-term viability of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF),
while also adding a significant grant component to help communities fully
achieve the lofty goals of the Clean Water Act. NACWA and other key stakeholders
are working together to finalize a legislative proposal that would establish
such a trust fund.
NACWA is a national trade association representing hundreds of the nation's
publicly owned wastewater treatment utilities. NACWA members serve the majority
of the sewered population in the United States and collectively treat and
reclaim over 18 billion gallons of wastewater every day. NACWA members are
environmental practitioners dedicated to protecting and improving the nation's
waters and public health.
Visit www.nacwa.org to learn more about the National Association of Clean Water
Agencies and its work to secure long-term dedicated funding for clean and safe
water.