U.S. House of Representatives Approves Water Infrastructure Funding, Food & Water Watch Urges Senate to Follow Suit
2009-06-29
Contact:
Kate Fried, Food & Water Watch (202) 683-2500
U.S. House of Representatives Approves Water Infrastructure Funding, Food & Water Watch Urges Senate to Follow Suit
Statement of Food & Water Watch Executive Director
Wenonah Hauter
Washington, D.C.—“Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Environmental Protection Agency appropriation, which allocates $3.9 billion to help over 1,500 communities improve their drinking water and wastewater systems. This legislation includes $2.3 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to ensure that our nation’s water meets the goals of the Clean Water Act; $1.4 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to protect public health by improving drinking water systems; and $160 million for direct grants to communities for water infrastructure. Food & Water Watch applauds the House for voting to improve our country’s ailing water infrastructure system, and urges the Senate to also pass this vital piece of legislation.
“As public utilities struggle to maintain and modernize water systems, federal funding for drinking and wastewater infrastructure systems is more important than ever. Last week’s appropriation is a significant step towards improving our nation’s ailing water infrastructure system and generating as many as 40,000 new construction jobs. Even with this funding however, the United States will still need an additional $25 billion to upgrade its water and wastewater systems in 2010. This funding gap is indicative of the flawed way in which money is allocated to water infrastructure systems in the U.S. Because we cannot always rely on Congress and the President to allocate money to such projects, we need to establish a dedicated source of federal funding so that communities can keep their water safe, clean and affordable. A Clean Water Trust Fund would do just that, while ensuring a reliable source of water for generations to come.”
Food & Water Watch, a nonprofit consumer organization based in Washington, D.C., works to ensure clean water and safe food in the United States and around the world. We challenge the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources by empowering people to take action and transforming the public consciousness about what we eat and drink. For more information, visit www.foodandwaterwatch.org.