Clean Water Advocacy - News Releases - October 31,
2001
For Immediate Release: October 31, 2001 Contact: Adam
Krantz, 202/833-4651, AMSA
AMSA Backs Increased Federal Water
Infrastructure Funds at Senate Hearing
Paul Pinault, AMSA Vice President and
Executive Director of the Narragansett Bay Commission ("the
Commission") in Providence, Rhode Island testified today before the
Senate Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Water that municipal
governments are being innovative in stretching existing funds, but
that increased federal funding remains a critical necessity to
ensure the future of the nation’s aging water and wastewater
infrastructure. AMSA represents the interests of more than 260
publicly owned treatment works across the country which provide
service to the majority of the United States' sewered
population.
"While infrastructure security demands
require local governments to stretch limited dollars even further,
it becomes increasingly clear that adequate financial resources to
communities like mine are the most essential elements to maintaining
our nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure," said Pinault.
"Yet, since 1980, according to studies by both the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and the private sector, federal
contributions for water and wastewater infrastructure projects have
declined by an astounding 75 percent. Despite this funding drop, I
assure you that wastewater utilities are being extremely innovative
in order to get the most out of the limited dollars available."
Pinault mentioned the creative
measures public wastewater utilities have been taking in handling
their public debt, including asset management initiatives,
environmental management systems, debt restructuring and pooled
borrowing, which allows for utilities to band together to reduce the
cost of expensive bond issuances. Pinault pointed out, however, that
despite the creative financial management his Commission and others
demonstrate, by 2006 debt payments will comprise 54 percent of every
dollar his Commission earns. While the state revolving fund has been
helpful, noted Pinault, major changes to it are necessary to support
the massive needs of wastewater infrastructure upgrades and
compliance with growing federal regulations.
As AMSA’s Executive Director Ken Kirk says, "local governments do
a remarkable job figuring out creative ways to stretch their
dollars. The reality is that they need more dollars. Only the
federal government can step in to make sure that the nation has
clean and safe water for the long-term and that the necessary
upgrades are made to our ailing and aging water and wastewater
infrastructure."
Pinault also took the opportunity to thank Sen. James Jeffords
(I-VT) and the supporters of a critical bill introduced yesterday
that would provide much-needed research and development funding for
drinking water and wastewater infrastructure security, stating "I
and AMSA sincerely hope this measure passes swiftly with the full
bipartisan support it merits." Pinault added that AMSA and the Water
Infrastructure Network also urge the Subcommittee and the full
Congress to support a five year, $57 billion federal funding plan to
capitalize state-administered grant and loan programs for water and
wastewater infrastructure.
Paul Pinault’s testimony is available at http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/advocacy/testimony/10-31-01testimony.cfm.
1816 Jefferson Place, Washington, DC 20036-2505 •
202.833.AMSA • 202.833.4657 FAX
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