Water Finance

On May 20, House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee released a draft of the House Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016. Committee leaders plan to formally introduce the bipartisan bill early this week.

To help address the $2 trillion in infrastructure needs currently facing our country, a group of leading CEOs and former elected officials today are releasing a report calling for a major culture change in how the United States funds infrastructure projects.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued proposed regulations altering the definition of “political subdivision” for the purpose of issuing tax-exempt bonds and use of tax-exempt financed facilities. The proposed language could have troubling implications for certain wastewater and stormwater utilities seeking to finance projects using tax-exempt bonds and/or use facilities built with tax-exempt financing.

BRECKSVILLE, OHIO — UIM: Water Utility Infrastructure Management, the leading professional journal covering the municipal water and wastewater sector in North America, is changing its name to Water Finance & Management.

Last week, AMWA wrote to Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) in support of three bills he recently introduced in response to the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. AMWA’s letter came after gathering feedback from AMWA members during the Water Policy Conference and from the association’s Legislative and Regulatory Committees.

The EPA has announced the award of $12.7 million in grants to help small drinking and wastewater systems and private well owners located in urban and rural communities throughout the United States and its territories. The water systems will receive training and technical assistance to improve small system operations and management practices, promote system sustainability and better protect public health and the environment.

Since its creation in 1972, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District has made great strides in updating the region’s sewer infrastructure, investing $4 billion in wastewater treatment plants, interceptor and relief sewers, combined sewer overflow control, and other facility upgrades.

Various customer assistance programs (CAPs) — including key areas for consideration associated with program design — can be explored by utility managers to help mitigate the impact on customers struggling to afford the cost of water utility services.

BRECKSVILLE, OHIO — UIM: WaterUtility Infrastructure Management, the leading journal of finance and management for water and wastewater professionals, is excited to announce the dates for its 16th annual Water Asset Management Conference in Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 18-19, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. TheRead More

The Value of Water Coalition has released the results of a new national poll on public attitudes and concerns about water.