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.

Rich AndersonDirector, Mayors Water Council
Judy SheahanAssistant Executive Director

News Headlines

EPA Unfunded Mandates: Priority Issues for Local Governments

March 14, 2023|Comments Off on EPA Unfunded Mandates: Priority Issues for Local Governments

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been moving forward with new and upcoming policies intended to protect public health and the environment, and they will likely impact municipal services like drinking and wastewater

$144.6 Billion All-Time High Local Spending on Water and Sewer Utilities in 2020 – CARES Act Fiscal Stimulus Makes an Impact

December 12, 2022|Comments Off on $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

Historic Levels of Local Utility Spending and Revenues Reported for 2018

October 5, 2020|Comments Off on 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

August 20, 2020|Comments Off on 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

July 29, 2020|Comments Off on 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

May 16, 2020|Comments Off on 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

November 26, 2019|Comments Off on 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

April 23, 2019|Comments Off on 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

January 8, 2019|Comments Off on 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

Mayors Water Council Newsletter – December 2022

2022 Meeting: Ontario, CA

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:

2013 Report: Municipal Procurement