Washington Report

Water sector urges Trump to prioritize water in second term

Water sector urges Trump to prioritize water in second term

Washington Report, Water Finance December 30, 2024 at 1:15 pm

In December, associations representing the municipal water and wastewater sector submitted a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, urging his administration to prioritize water infrastructure in his second term. The letter was endorsed by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), Water Environment Federation (WEF), the AssociationRead More

Congress reaches agreement on 2024 Water Resources Development Act

Congress reaches agreement on 2024 Water Resources Development Act

Washington Report, Water Finance December 9, 2024 at 11:12 am

Last week, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) reached a final agreement on the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA). The Water Resources Development Act is biennial legislation that authorizes theRead More

EPA Headquarters building at the Federal Triangle in Washington, DC.

‘Systemic flaws’: EPA Inspector General raises concerns over distribution of BIL money

Washington Report, Water Finance November 25, 2024 at 7:15 am

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General in October issued a report identifying nearly $1 billion in questioned costs and funds that it suggested could be put to better use in the agency’s distribution of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for lead service line replacement.  DueRead More

EPA announces $3.6 billion in funding under BIL

EPA announces $3.6 billion in funding under BIL

Washington Report, Water Finance, Water Management November 4, 2024 at 6:05 am

On Oct. 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $3.6 billion in new funding under the Biden-Harris administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to upgrade water infrastructure. Combined with $2.6 billion announced earlier in October, EPA said the $6.2 billion in investments for Fiscal Year 2025Read More

NACWA urges presidential candidates to prioritize water infrastructure

NACWA urges presidential candidates to prioritize water infrastructure

Washington Report September 18, 2024 at 10:05 am

As the 2024 presidential race intensifies, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) said it is urging both candidates to prioritize critical clean water infrastructure issues. The organization said in a statement that it has submitted letters to both Vice President Kamala Harris andRead More

EPA announces $7.5 billion in loans available

EPA announces $7.5 billion in loans available

Public Utility Finance, Washington Report, Water Finance September 16, 2024 at 8:37 am

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in early September announced the availability of $7.5 billion of Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding. This is the eighth round of funding available, and it includes $6.5 billion available through WIFIA and $1 billion available throughRead More

Before she became lead program manager, Brenda Culler helped develop Cleveland Water’s Childcare Lead Service Line Replacement Program, a pilot that successfully removed all known LSLs at state-licensed childcare facilities throughout Cleveland Water’s service area in 10 months.

EPA awards grants for lead pipe replacement in schools, childcare facilities

In August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $26 million in funding to help protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. EPA said the grant funding will be used by 55 states and territories and the District of ColumbiaRead More

EPA begins evaluation of five ‘harmful chemicals’ including vinyl chloride

EPA begins evaluation of five ‘harmful chemicals’ including vinyl chloride

Pipe Selection, Washington Report, Water Management August 30, 2024 at 7:05 am

In July, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to designate five chemicals as High-Priority Substances for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) including vinyl chloride, primarily used in the manufacturing and processing of plastic materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe.Read More

House subcommittee approves EPA cuts as Senate urges level funding

House subcommittee approves EPA cuts as Senate urges level funding

Washington Report August 5, 2024 at 6:05 am

In June, a House Appropriations Subcommittee approved a spending proposal for FY25 that would cut the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) budget by $1.8 billion, bringing the total appropriation for the agency to $7.36 billion for the next fiscal year, down from $9.16 billion in FY24. TheRead More

House reauthorizes Water Resources Development Act

House reauthorizes Water Resources Development Act

Washington Report, Water Finance July 29, 2024 at 8:40 am

The U.S. House of Representatives last week passed legislation to reauthorize the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), a biennial bill that authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects. The bill, H.R. 8812, passed by a vote of 359 to 13. WRDA authorizes the U.S. Army CorpsRead More