Contact: Lori Burkhammer
WEFTEC Press Room
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WEF APPLAUDS U.S. EPA RELEASE OF GAP ANALYSIS
Report Addresses Need for More Water Infrastructure Investment

(Chicago, IL) - The Water Environment Federation (WEF) today welcomed the release of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) gap analysis. This long-awaited report is an important milestone in highlighting the need for more water infrastructure investment in the United States. According to WEF President Jim Clark, "[the gap analysis] confirms what water environment professionals already know - that unless we as a nation substantially increase our commitment to repairing and replacing water infrastructure, we risk reversing the progress we have made in public health and water quality during the past 30 years."

The release of The Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Gap Analysis was announced this morning by EPA Administrator Gov. Christine Todd Whitman during her keynote address at WEFTEC 2002 in Chicago, IL -- North America's largest annual water quality conference and exhibition. In her remarks, Gov. Whitman indicated that, "[the Gap Analysis] looks at infrastructure in the broad sense - everything it takes to deliver clean, safe water to America's homes and businesses and then remove and treat the waste that results. From the simplest pipe to the most complex treatment system - we looked at the entire picture." Clark later thanked Gov. Whitman for her leadership in the Bush administration, particularly overseeing the completion and publication of this report, which was commissioned in response to the compelling need for federal investment on a local, state, and national level.

While the capital needs estimates presented by EPA today appear to be slightly lower than those found in the Water Infrastructure Network's (WIN) report, Water Infrastructure Now, both documents agree that the capital investment need is tremendous. WEF believes that local solutions, such as increased water and wastewater rates or operating efficiencies are important; however, in many instances local sources simply cannot meet the challenge alone. The State Revolving Fund (SRF) program, which was hailed as a model when established 15 years ago, continues to be an important mechanism for states to finance a variety of water quality improvements.

However, due to the limited funding available through SRF, combined with administrative "red tape," many communities do not find this program to be a viable source of financial assistance.

As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, the Federation continues its commitment to working with Gov. Whitman, EPA, Congress, and other stakeholders in solving infrastructure needs and remains an active participant in continuing dialogue on this vital issue in the water quality profession.

EPA intended to release the report on its Web site today. To obtain a full copy, please visit http://www.epa.gov/. To view the WIN Report and obtain more information about water infrastructure and the Federation, please visit http://www.wef.org/.

Founded in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with members from varied disciplines who work toward the WEF vision of preservation and enhancement of the global water environment. The WEF network includes water quality professionals from 79 Member Associations in 32 countries.