Clean Water Council Takes Its Message to Transit

Clean water infrastructure investments is the key to maintaining and improving the quality of the natural environment and public health. That's the message that will greet riders of Metro in Washington, D.C. For three months, millions of commuters will see large, colorful posters sponsored by the Clean Water Council that promote congressional action Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) reauthorization bills pending in the House and Senate.

The Fund provides low-cost financing to communities for the construction, repair and rehabilitation of wastewater collection and treatment facilities. The program also funds stormwater, wetlands, estuary and nonpoint source improvements.

The Clean Water Infrastructure Financing Act (H.R. 2720/S. 1699), companion bills, introduced by Reps. Sue Kelly (R-NY) and Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) and Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH), would reauthorize the SRF at $3 billion annually for five years.

"An investment in wastewater infrastructure is an investment in protecting the environment and human health. Our communities remain susceptible to a number of hazards that pose a significant threat to clean water, such as sewer overflows that pollute water sources with untreated sewage," said Rep. Kelly. "H.R. 2720 would help mitigate hazards such as this and guide Congress in appropriating adequate funds for the SRF that reflect our nation's considerable needs."