Tonko, Pallone and Members of the Environment and the Economy Subcommittee Introduce AQUA Act to Update Safe Drinking Water Act and Help Local Water Systems Avoid Infrastructure Disasters, Big and Small

Press Release

Today, Representatives Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6) introduced the AQUA Act, which updates the Safe Drinking Water Act to significantly increase funding authorization levels for local communities with water infrastructure deficiencies. A complete section-by-section summary and full language of the bill is attached.

"The Flint water crisis has brought attention to our nation's aging water infrastructure and what can happen when we try to cut corners in state budgets, but the discussion cannot end in Michigan. Cash-strapped local governments struggle each year to find sufficient funds for repair and replacement of essential water infrastructure. Between the steady decline in federal funding and the growing need for more support from Washington, greater burden has fallen upon local governments at a time when they simply cannot shoulder it. From simple water main breaks that bring everyday life to a screeching halt to larger disasters that harm a generation of lives, it's well past time to get real about the funding levels that are needed to bring our water infrastructure into the 21st century," said Tonko.

"Our water infrastructure has not been sufficiently funded for years, and we're now seeing the tragic results in Flint and in other communities around the nation, including New Jersey," said Pallone. "This bill devotes much-needed funding to local governments so they can repair and replace aging water systems to ensure people have access to safe and clean drinking water. I applaud Congressman Tonko for his long-standing leadership on this issue, and look forward to working with him to move this important legislation through Congress."

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), the primary source of federal funding for drinking water infrastructure projects, was created by the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996. Congress has neglected to reauthorize the program since its initial authorization expired in 2003. It continues to provide assistance to states because it has been included in annual appropriations and budget deals. Because of this, the program remains in danger of being eliminated each year and is funded at an outdated and inappropriate 13-year old level.

"Simply put, communities big and small are not getting what they need from Washington, and Congress has to give them the tools they need to solve the problems they have today before they become disasters tomorrow," added Tonko.

Pallone is the Ranking Member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Tonko serves as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, which has jurisdiction over the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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