Press Release
National Association of Water Companies Statement Supporting Reauthorizing the Clean Water State Revolving Fund
Washington DC, September 19, 2007 – Today the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security, and Water Quality heard testimony on the wastewater infrastructure replacement challenge. The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) released the following statement from Executive Director Peter Cook calling on Congress to work within the existing Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CW-SRF), reject a trust fund or grant program, and extend the benefits of the CW-SRF to all Americans.
“The NAWC supports the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CW-SRF), and encourages Congress to address the nation’s infrastructure replacement challenge by working within this successful and established program.
“Congress can do its part by reauthorizing the CW-SRF, but utilities must also take responsibility and do their part through sound asset management policies, full cost-of-service pricing, consolidation, public-private partnerships and programs to help economically disadvantaged customers.
“What Congress should not do is authorize a new trust fund or federal grant program which inevitably will lead to utility customers paying far more for water infrastructure replacement.
“The CW-SRF should be amended, however, to assure that all Americans, regardless of whether they are served by a publicly or privately owned utility, have equal access to the funds benefits. This simple fairness exists in the Drinking Water SRF and should be extended to the CW-SRF.
“The NAWC and the private water service industry stand ready to work with Congress, the Administration and all interested parties to responsibly address the water infrastructure replacement challenge in fair and sensible ways. The hearing today is an important step in this essential process.”
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