About the Council
The primary purpose of the Mayors Water Council (MWC) is to assist local governments in providing high quality water resources in a cost effective manner. The MWC provides a forum for local governments to share information on water technology, management methods, operational experience, and financing of infrastructure development. The MWC will monitor and respond, as appropriate, to federal legislative, regulatory or policy proposals affecting the delivery of municipal water services. The MWC will also provide a forum to assist local government in exploring competition and public-private partnership approaches, and alternative methods of financing water infrastructure development.
The Mayors Water Council (MWC) officially commenced operations within the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) on August 1, 1995. The MWC began its first program year with an August 4, 1994 forum held in Washington, DC. At the forum, Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner noted that the federal government will not be able to meet the future water development financing needs of cities. Therefore, local governments must seek public/private partnerships to finance future water development projects.
Participation in the Mayors Water Council is open to all mayors, and functions like a USCM task force.
News Headlines
$144.6 Billion All-Time High Local Spending on Water and Sewer Utilities in 2020 – CARES Act Fiscal Stimulus Makes an Impact
The United States Conference of Mayors Water Council tracks aggregate public expenditures and revenues of local water and sewer systems and the latest Census data reported for 2020 estimates local spending at $144.6 billion. This
Joint Comment Letters Related to EPA Water and Environmental Rules and Regulations
WOTUS Amicus Brief Risk Management Program PFOS and PFOA Comment Letter Lead and Copper Rule Joint Letter to EPA & OMB on FCA CCR Federalism Comments Lead and Copper Rule - 2022 Federalism Comments
Historic Levels of Local Utility Spending and Revenues Reported for 2018
An analysis of recently released 2018 Census estimates of local government spending for municipal water and sewer utilities indicates an historic high annual investment of $130 billion. 2018 spending continued the decade-long slow growth at
National Economic Recession Shatters Local Ability to Invest in Utility Infrastructure
What Happened: The United States Conference of Mayors just released research findings indicating the Great Recession (December 2007-June 2009) caused municipal water and sewer utilities to pare budgets, shift resources to continue service for
City Water and Sewer Utilities Face Losing a Generation of Needed Infrastructure Investments
A review of city utility spending in the pre- and post-Great Recession sheds light on what happens when national economic disruptions occur. This information might be helpful in anticipating impacts from the covid-19 recession. The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to Consider Changes to the Way it Assesses Community Affordability and Compliance
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of finalizing potential changes to the way they calculate and determine how much your city and citizens will be required to spend to comply with
Local Government Makes Record-High Investments in Public Water & Sewer Infrastructure
New Census Estimates Reveal Local Governments Invested a Record $125.5 Billion in Municipal Water and Sewer Infrastructure and Services in 2017 Washington, DC – Local government invested a record $125.5 billion in municipal water and
Condon Testifies on the Importance of Funding and Flexibilty for the Clean Water Act
Testifying on behalf of the Conference of Mayors, Spokane Mayor David Condon spoke about the importance of Wastewater Infrastructure funding and regulatory flexibility and described Spokane's experience with complying with the Clean Water Act. Condon
Integrated Planning Legislation Adopted by Congress
Cities Facing Costly Clean Water Act Mandates Can Use New Tool - May Bring Financial Relief! Congress passed the Integrated Planning bill in late 2018 legislative action; and, it potentially will have a direct financial impact
Local Government Investment in Public Water and Sewer Hits a Record $123.7 Billion in 2016
Long-term infrastructure investment commitment to clean water and sewer/stormwater management tops $1.99 Trillion from 1993 to 2016 By Rich Anderson Public spending on water and sewer/stormwater management continues to set new nominal dollar highs according
Mayors Water Council Newsletter – December 2022
2022 Meeting: Ontario, CA
The Mayors Water Council met in Ontario, California in October 2022. You can access the Information Packet as well as the Powerpoint presentations that were given at the meeting below.
- Opportunities for the Water, Energy, Waste Nexus
- SCAG’s Water Action Resolution
- Local Spending on Municipal Water and Sewer
- How Public Private Partnerships (P3) Can Solve Our Nation’s Most Pressing Water Challenges: A Case Study in Rialto
- What’s on Tap for Water Infrastructure?
- Lake Rialto Introduction
- Western City Water Supply: Status & Plans
- Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – Federal Grants and Loans
- The Drought Creates a Double-Sided Financial Strain
- Prioritizing Risks: Putting PFAS into Context
- Information Packet
Mayors Water Council Newsletter – May 2020
Mayors Water Council Newsletter – November 2018
Water and Sewer Infrastructure Investments
2017 Meeting: Miami Beach
The Mayors Water Council recently met in Miami Beach. Here are the presentations that were given at the meeting:
2017 Meeting: Santa Barbara
The Mayors Water Council met in Santa Barbara. Here are the presentations that were given at the meeting: