Reps. Tonko and Waxman Introduce Bill Reauthorizing State Revolving Loan Fund Under the Safe Drinking Water Act

Press Release

Today, Rep. Paul D. Tonko, Ranking Member of the Environment and the Economy Subcommittee, and Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced legislation to reauthorize and increase funding for the drinking water state revolving fund (SRF) established by the 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). H.R. 5534, the Assistance, Quality and Affordability Act of 2014 will increase assistance for states, water systems, and disadvantaged communities; encourage good financial and environmental management of water systems; and strengthen the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to enforce SDWA requirements.

"We have been asking states to do more with less for far too long" said Rep. Tonko. "Safe drinking water is not a luxury. It is a necessity. Thankfully, we do not have to choose between safe drinking water and a strong economy. Investing in water infrastructure supports jobs and the economy."

"This legislation would take a strong step forward in helping to ensure that public water systems deliver safe, affordable drinking water to the American people, while creating jobs and prioritizing financially sound investment in our water infrastructure," said Rep. Waxman "The need to replace our failing infrastructure and prevent water losses will only grow."

The drinking water SRF was established to provide capitalization grants to states to award infrastructure loans to water systems, for the purpose of increasing compliance with national drinking water standards and protecting public health. Under this bill, funds would be prioritized for those communities most in need and for projects that promote the efficiency, sustainability, and long-term viability of water systems.

Investing in our nation's aging water infrastructure makes good economic sense. A recent report by the Water Research Foundation and Water Environment Research Foundation found that just 30 water and wastewater agencies from around the country will spend at least $233 billion alone over the next decade, resulting in over half a trillion dollars in U.S. economic output and supporting over 289,000 jobs annually.

EPA's most recent assessment of our nation's drinking water infrastructure needs showed $384 billion will be needed for infrastructure repairs by 2030. This amount grew significantly since the Agency's last assessment, demonstrating that investment has not kept pace with need.

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