For Immediate Release
Contact: Madeline Kauffman
Vice President
Banner Public Affairs
mkauffman@bannerpublicaffairs.com
202-750-7509
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July. 25, 2024) – The American Business Water Coalition (ABWC) applauds the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for maintaining funding for the Environmental Protection Agencies' (EPA) Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs). This is a vast improvement from the House’s bill introduced earlier this week, which includes a dangerous $600 million cut to SRFs, funds that exist to ensure safe, reliable and affordable water for all Americans. However, it is time for Congress to move beyond simply maintaining funding for water infrastructure, and instead provide full funding for all EPA water programs as authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“While ABWC commends the Senate for maintaining SRF funding rather than including alarming cuts, there is still so much work to be done to close the extreme funding gap for our country’s water infrastructure,” said Mae Stevens, chief executive officer of ABWC. “The United States economy relies on water infrastructure, as every business and community depends on safe and consistent water access. Restoring the country’s water systems to meet the needs of the population is expected to cost at least $1 trillion over the next 25 years. Congress needs to recognize this as a critical need and close the funding gap.”
ABWC’s national polling of voters’ perceptions on the importance of water funding additionally revealed how important this issue is to the general public, as eight in 10 respondents said they are more likely to vote for political candidates who support increased funding for clean and reliable water.
“It is past time for federal water funding to be made a priority,” said Stevens. “The fight is not over, and the American Business Water Coalition will continue to advocate for increased federal funding.”
To learn more about ABWC’s policy platform, click here.
