Guest Columns

AMWA: The Time Is Now for Congress to Recommit to WIFIA

AMWA: The Time Is Now for Congress to Recommit to WIFIA

Washington Report, Water Finance June 20, 2018 at 9:47 am

By Diane VanDe Hei Washington has heard a lot of talk over the past year about the need to address the nation’s aging infrastructure, but there has been little agreement among Democrats and Republicans about how to go about it. However, a program created by CongressRead More

Senate panel approves spending bill to maintain WIFIA, SRF funds

Senate panel approves spending bill to maintain WIFIA, SRF funds

Washington Report, Water Finance June 19, 2018 at 2:00 pm

The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved its version of FY19 EPA spending legislation that would maintain level funding for the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs, as well as the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program.  The full Senate could vote onRead More

Water sector reacts to passage of Farm Bill

Water sector reacts to passage of Farm Bill

Washington Report June 19, 2018 at 10:00 am

The American Water Works Association is applauding the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee for introducing a bipartisan Farm Bill that recognizes the importance of protecting drinking water sources from nutrient runoff. AWWA singled out Chairman Pat Roberts, Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, and Sen. Sherrod Brown forRead More

The Water Main Report Card

The Water Main Report Card

By Steven Folkman Most water professionals are well aware that in 2009, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) issued its Infrastructure Report Card and gave a D- to drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. In a small sign of improvement, the 2013 ASCE Report CardRead More

Senate panel approves WRDA bill; water sector split on SRF WIN provision

Senate panel approves WRDA bill; water sector split on SRF WIN provision

Washington Report, Water Finance May 29, 2018 at 12:00 pm

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee has approved its plan to reauthorize the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The measure includes a controversial proposal known as the “SRF WIN Act.” Introduced earlier this year by Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), the SRF WIN ActRead More

WRDA bills may advance in Congress

WRDA bills may advance in Congress

Washington Report, Water Finance May 21, 2018 at 12:49 pm

House and Senate versions of legislation to reauthorize the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) could receive committee markups in each chamber this week, according to the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA). The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee is expected to vote onRead More

DC Water names new CEO

DC Water names new CEO

Washington Report, Water Management May 3, 2018 at 4:52 pm

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority’s Board of Directors today named David L. Gadis as the new chief executive officer and general manager of DC Water. Gadis was selected after a nationwide search that attracted more than 100 candidates. “David impressed our selectionRead More

Water system resiliency bill introduced in House

Water system resiliency bill introduced in House

Washington Report, Water Management April 30, 2018 at 9:47 am

Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced legislation in April that would help local drinking water and wastewater utilities adapt their infrastructure to prepare for the impacts of changing hydrological conditions. H.R. 5596, the Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act, would establish a newRead More

What’s Next for Federal Clean Water Initiatives?

What’s Next for Federal Clean Water Initiatives?

Public Utility Finance, Washington Report April 12, 2018 at 2:00 pm

By Kristina Surfus The past year has been both an exciting and frustrating time for following federal clean water initiatives. This is particularly true for advocates of a strong federal funding partnership for clean water, like the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). TheRead More

EPA announces new funding for water infrastructure projects

EPA announces new funding for water infrastructure projects

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of funding that could provide as much as $5.5 billion in loans, which could leverage over $11 billion in water infrastructure projects through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. Prospective borrowers seekingRead More