By Brett Rosenberg
May 25, 2009

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on May 14 approved the Water Infrastructure Financing Act, which would fund the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) at $20 billion and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) at $14.7 billion. The bill specifies that priority will be given to systems and projects that emphasize asset management and green infrastructure practices.

The bi-partisan bill, co'sponsored by Senator Barbara Boxer (CA) and James Inhofe (OK), also dedicates $1.85 billion for grants that address combined sewer overflows. During the first two years this five-year program, S. 1005 would direct grants directly to municipalities and municipal entities; in subsequent years, states would receive grants to distribute as needed.

The clean water fund was last reauthorized over 20 years ago; the drinking water fund’s most recent reauthorization was 13 years ago.

In March, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over wastewater infrastructure, approved H.R. 1262, the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009. The bill would authorize $13.8 billion over five years for the CWSRF. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which oversees the drinking water side, has yet to address the DWSRF this year.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors has standing policy that urges the Administration and Congress to increase the annual capitalization levels of the CWSRF to $1.355 billion or more and the DWSRF to $850 million or more, and substantially raise the overall authorization levels of each fund.