Guest Columns

The Sustainable Water Infrastructure Coalition (SWIC) had a busy and productive year in 2013. SWIC members joined industry groups to help save tax-exempt municipal bonds and lay the groundwork for the introduction of the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act.

SWIC joined the Chronicles Group in hosting water documentary film screenings and speaker panels of Members of Congress and water leaders at the U.S. Capitol in November. Water summit special guest, Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), began the program and encouraged support for his private activity bond legislation that would provide $50 billion in private capital investment in water and wastewater infrastructure and create more than one million jobs.

The push to remove caps on Private Activity Bonds (PABs) continues to make its way slowly through Congress. Continuing to lead the charge in the House of Representatives are Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) and Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), who have worked hard to educate members of the House Ways and Means Committee.

SWIC MEMBER SPOLIGHT: McWane, Inc. McWane, Inc. is a former chair of SWIC and is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of iron water works and plumbing products. The company manufactures products including ductile iron pipe and fittings, fire hydrants, cast iron soil pipe andRead More

United Water currently chairs SWIC and provides water and wastewater services to approximately 5.7 million people in the United States. In addition to owning and operating 20 water utilities, the company operates 100 municipal and industrial water and wastewater systems through innovative public-private partnerships and contract agreements.

SWIC Overview The Sustainable Water Infrastructure Coalition (SWIC) is an alliance of corporations, public organizations, industry trade associations and others representing private and public water and wastewater service providers, construction contractors, equipment manufacturers and distributors, engineering companies, labor unions, financing institutions and business organizations, workingRead More

The 2012 elections meant many things to many people. The bad news is, that issues that should enjoy bipartisan support, such as water and wastewater infrastructure investment, are threatened to end up a casualty of this hostile political environment.

Jefferson County, Ala., mired in a financial crisis that could lead to bankruptcy proceedings, came one step closer to a resolution on Sept. 16 when the County Commission approved an agreement that included debt concessions and sewer rate hikes.

For many years, the need to accurately map underground utilities was not a priority for cities and utilities. But as the underground space has become increasingly congested and development has encroached on what had been open land, knowing the precise location of pipelines is becoming more and more critical.