Equipment Group Presses Water Infrastructure Legislation

Milwaukee-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has urged quick Senate action to authorize funding needed to adequately maintain clean water

Milwaukee-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has urged quick Senate action to authorize funding needed to adequately maintain clean water infrastructure. The Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security and Water Quality was scheduled to begin addressing growing clean water infrastructure funding needs at a hearing late last month.

Earlier this year on a 303-108 vote, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 720, the Water Quality Financing Act of 2007. This legislation reauthorizes the Clean Water State Revolving Fund at $14 billion. AEM advocates an increase in federal investment to replace and upgrade aging water infrastructure systems across the U.S. Government and private studies have estimated that over the next 20 years, the water and wastewater infrastructure investment gap will reach between $300 billion and $500 billion. Despite these needs, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) was allowed to expire. Reauthorizing the long-expired SRF will help address the nation’s critical water and wastewater needs.

Water infrastructure needs have been ignored far too long, asserts AEM Vice President of Global Public Policy Nick Yaksich. AEM is pleased the Senate is addressing this critical issue.