Ensuring Clean and Safe Water for America

Bill in Congress Seeks to Address Aging U.S. Infrastructure

Aug 2, 2009

America's 1 million miles of water pipes deliver some of the safest water in the world to homes and businesses, but those pipes are aging and repair is under-funded.

A water main break in Bethesda, Maryland made headline news across the United States in December 2008 when a torrent of water flooded a busy roadway during the morning rush hour, trapping two motorists in their cars. Even though the nation suffered 240,000 water main breaks last year, most water infrastructure problems don't get nearly the attention of the Bethesda break. Yet, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers, six billion gallons of drinking water leaks out of America's aging water system every single day.

No Money for Leaky Pipes and Aging Treatment Plants

The 1 million miles of water pipes and other infrastructure America depends on to ensure clean and safe water is crumbling and in need of repair, at the same time city and county budgets for such projects are falling short. “Every day we rely on seemingly invisible water and wastewater systems to support our quality of life and the nation’s economy, and yet they suffer from inattention and underfunding,” said American Society of Civil Engineers president D. Wayne Klotz.

The U.S. Environmental Protection estimates that funding for wastewater and drinking water projects across the country will fall up to $500 billion short by 2020. A growing chorus of voices, including members of Congress, mayors, water utilities, and environmental groups, are urging Congress do do something about it.

On July 15th, Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Norm Dicks (D-WA), Tom Petri (R-WI), and Steve LaTourette (R-OH) introduced a bill that would create a $10 billion trust fund to help close that gap. “We know things are critical when, based on current funding levels, it would take Oregon more than 62 years to meet our current wastewater needs," said Congressman Earl Blumenauer upon introduction of his bill.

The bill would raise money for clean water by levying small taxes on water-based beverages, disposable products, pharmaceuticals, and the profits of major corporations. The funds would be distributed as grants or loans to towns and cities for sewage treatment or drinking water projects.

Public vs. Private Water Funding

Republican pollster Frank Luntz found in 2004 that 9 out of 10 Americans support federal funding for water but funding levels have fallen in recent years. In 1978, the federal government provided two-thirds of the funding for clean water but, by 2007, the federal government's share of funding had fallen to just 3 percent, according to the research and advocacy group Food & Water Watch.

The group is concerned that cash-strapped municipalities will increasingly turn to private industry to provide essential upgrades as pipes age and populations grow. Privatization brings a host of additional problems, including increased water rates, poor service, and downsized workforces, while taking an essential public resource out of public control.

Clean Water Jobs

Every debate in Washington right now pivots around jobs and the issue of water and wastewater infrastructure is no exception. According to the National Association for Clean Water Agencies, every $1 billion investment in water infrastructure creates 27,000 middle-class jobs on the local level. Bill sponsors say that the Water Protection and Reinvestment Act will fund 250,000 jobs.

Opponents to a Clean Water Trust Fund

Passing new taxes through Congress can be challenging. While lauding the bill's goals, Joseph Doss, president of the International Bottled Water Association, told Congress that singling out the bottled water industry and other makers of beverages that are mostly water is unfair. The National Association of Water Companies, which represents private water companies, is also opposing the bill.

A Future for Clean and Safe Water

Proponents of the Water Protection and Reinvestment Act argue that, by creating a trust fund that reduces the impact of the annual budget process in Congress from funding for clean water, the bill will ensure the reliable funding that cities and states need to undertake long-term water quality projects that will ensure clean and safe water for the future.

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