The popular L'Oréal slogan easily applies to the world of water, and the reward is infinitely more valuable than good hair.
Some encouraging news to report from the Water Environment Federation (WEF) this week: Executive Director Jeff Eger and other industry leaders took to Capitol Hill to urge members of the U.S. House of Representatives to pass new legislation funding water infrastructure needs.
Eger testified to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, highlighting the financial challenges facing water facilities around the country and the importance of providing support. He stressed innovative technologies, innovative management approaches and innovative financing as critical to making progress in these tight financial times.
WEF and the American Water Works Assn. also voiced support for draft legislation to create the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Authority (WIFIA), a funding mechanism based on the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act. WIFIA would assist local governments with water infrastructure needs and leverage available federal dollars through low-interest funding complementing the State Revolving Fund.
Eger also stressed the critical need to communicate the value of water to the general public. WEF hopes to propel these efforts forth through its new “Water’s Worth It” campaign, launching soon.
Please share your thoughts on this draft legislation, as well as your ideas for taking the WEF campaign’s goals to heart.