OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON (JAN. 10, 2024) – A new report identifies 55 clean water infrastructure projects in Washington state that are at risk of being delayed or canceled if Congress approves the House FY24 appropriations bill – eight of which are pursuing funding this year. The American Business Water Coalition (ABWC) today released the findings, showing the risks to thriving businesses, job creation and local economic growth by identifying the specific water infrastructure projects and regions that will be impacted should the FY24 House Interior-Environment Appropriations bill and its historic cuts to the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) be signed into law.
Leading examples of the most immediately at-risk water infrastructure projects that would support the local economy in key regions across Washington include:
1. Grant County’s Electric City storm drainage improvements
2. Spokane County’s Sprague Ave. storm water improvements
3. Skagit County’s middle Skagit tributaries riparian restoration
4. Chelan County’s combined sewer and storm water improvements
5. Walla Walla County’s SE Birch Ave storm drainage improvements
To view all of the projects at risk in Washington over the next two years, please visit www.businesswatercoalition.com/reports/washington for the report in its entirety.
“The draconian cuts to the State Revolving Funds contained in the House Appropriations bill spell disaster for water infrastructure funding, and this could impact the economic health of local Washington communities for years to come,” said Mae Stevens, chief executive officer of ABWC. “Our new report highlights the important water projects at great risk in Washington. Water-related crises are wreaking havoc on a daily basis across the country. Congress must fully fund our nation’s water infrastructure, and not pinch pennies on programs that every American and the entire economy rely on.”
It is estimated that restoring the country’s water systems to meet the needs of the population will cost at least $1 trillion over the next 25 years. Without a dramatic increase in federal investment, every business and community in America is at risk.
