WASHINGTON — A
representative of the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies
(AMSA) told a Senate subcommittee that federal funds are needed to
help the nation's cities upgrade its aging water and sewer
infrastructure systems.
A debate has gone on for some time as
to whether federal funds should be part of the plan to renovate and
upgrade aging infrastructure systems. Both sides of the argument
were given yesterday, 31 October, at a hearing conducted by the
Senate Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Water.
Paul
Pinault, AMSA vice president and executive director of the
Narragansett Bay Commission in Providence, RI, that municipal
governments are being innovative in stretching existing funds, but
that increased federal funding remains a critical necessity to
ensure the future of the nation's aging water and wastewater
infrastructure.
AMSA represents the interests of more than
260 publicly owned treatment works across the country.
"While infrastructure security demands require local
governments to stretch limited dollars even further, it becomes
increasingly clear that adequate financial resources to communities
like mine are the most essential elements to maintaining our
nation's water and wastewater infrastructure," said
Pinault.
"Yet, since 1980, according to studies by both the
US Environmental Protection Agency and the private sector, federal
contributions for water and wastewater infrastructure projects have
declined by an astounding 75 percent. Despite this funding drop, I
assure you that wastewater utilities are being extremely innovative
in order to get the most out of the limited dollars available," he
said.
Pinault mentioned the creative measures public
wastewater utilities have been taking in handling their public debt,
including asset management initiatives, environmental management
systems, debt restructuring and pooled borrowing, which allows for
utilities to band together to reduce the cost of expensive bond
issuances.
Pinault said that despite the creative financial
management his commission and others demonstrate, by 2006 debt
payments will comprise 54 percent of every dollar his commission
earns. While the state revolving fund has been helpful, noted
Pinault, major changes to it are necessary to support the massive
needs of wastewater infrastructure upgrades and compliance with
growing federal regulations.
Pinault also thanked Sen. James
Jeffords, I-VT, and the supporters of a bill introduced 30 October
that would provide research and development funding for drinking
water and wastewater infrastructure security, stating that AMSA
"sincerely hopes this measure passes swiftly with the full
bipartisan support it merits."
Pinault added that AMSA and
the Water Infrastructure Network also urge the subcommittee and the
full Congress to support a five-year, $57 billion federal funding
plan to capitalize state-administered grant and loan programs for
water and wastewater infrastructure.
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