WEF Urges Passage Of New Water Infrastructure Financing Legislation
Executive Director Eger Calls for Innovative Technologies, Management
Water Environment Federation (WEF) Executive Director Jeff Eger joined with other industry leaders recently on Capitol Hill to urge members of the U.S. House of Representatives to pass new legislation that would fund water infrastructure needs. Eger's testimony
During the first of a two-part hearing titled, Review of Innovative Financing Approaches for Community Water Infrastructure Projects
"Local governments are facing the worst financial circumstances in more than a generation," said Eger. "If we are going to continue to provide essential services and make progress in water quality, we need to re-imagine the way we provide local water services. We need to encourage innovation — innovative technologies, innovative management approaches, and innovative financing."
Specifically, WEF and the American Water Works Association voiced support for draft legislation to create the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Authority (WIFIA), a funding mechanism modeled after the highly successful Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act. WIFIA would assist local governments with water infrastructure needs and leverage available federal dollars through low-interest funding that complements the already established State Revolving Fund.
"Innovative financing legislation provides an opportunity to demonstrate once again that clean water is a national priority, and that leaders here in Washington are sympathetic to the needs of local governments," continued Eger. "Introduction and eventual passage of new water infrastructure financing legislation is an important step in recognizing the value of water and the need to support our essential water infrastructure."
Eger also stressed the critical need to raise awareness about the value and importance of water among the general public. WEF hopes this will be achieved through its soon-to-be launched WATER'S WORTH IT campaign. "Over time we will be working with the other organizations at this table — and we hope with you — to help explain the value of water."
The second of the two-part hearing is expected sometime in March.
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About WEF
Founded in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF members, Member Associations and staff proudly work to achieve our mission to provide bold leadership, champion innovation, connect water professionals, and leverage knowledge to support clean and safe water worldwide. For more information, visit www.wef.org.
SOURCE: Water Environment Federation (WEF) - WEFTEC
See also:
AWWA Advocates For Legislation To Reduce Water Infrastructure Costs To Consumers