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Funding for EPA Water Infrastructure: A Fact Sheet [Updated March 6, 2019]
For the Department: "Federal funding to assist communities with capital projects to meet the water-related goals and requirements of federal laws has been provided through programs in the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Safe Drinking Water Act. This report provides a table showing budget requests and appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) water infrastructure assistance programs under these two laws since 1973. The Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 (P.L. 80-845) established a grant program to assist localities with planning and design work and authorized loans for treatment plant construction. In subsequent amendments, federal assistance increased and a construction grant program replaced the loan program. In the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (P.L. 92-500, popularly known as the Clean Water Act), Congress established the first national standards for sewage treatment and significantly increased federal funding to help communities meet the law's standards."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Tiemann, Mary
2019-03-06
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Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF): Overview, Issues, and Legislation [October 2, 2018]
"The state of the nation's water infrastructure and the challenges many communities face in addressing infrastructure needs continue to receive congressional attention. In 1996, Congress authorized the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to help public water systems finance infrastructure projects needed to comply with federal drinking water regulations and to meet the act's health protection objectives. Under this program, states receive annual capitalization grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide financial assistance (primarily subsidized loans) to water systems for drinking water projects and related activities. Through FY2018, Congress has appropriated a total of $20.41 billion for the program. From FY1997 through FY2017, states provided $35.38 billion in DWSRF assistance to water systems for 14,090 projects."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary
2018-10-02
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Water Authorization Legislation in Brief: H.R. 8 and S. 2800 [June 1, 2018]
"The 115th Congress is deliberating two water authorization bills: H.R. 8, the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (WRDA 2018), and S. 2800, America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AIWA 2018). Both bills were introduced and marked up by their respective authorizing committees in May 2018. In the tradition of previous legislation with the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) title, H.R. 8 focuses on authorizing water resource projects and activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). S. 2800 includes not only provisions related to USACE provisions but also provisions related to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), particularly in Title V of the bill ('EPA-Related Provisions'). In addition, S. 2800 includes a few other provisions that relate primarily to Department of the Interior activities and programs. Issues for the 115th Congress related to these deliberations include the scope of water issues to be addressed, how the legislation would affect federal spending, and how the legislation would affect federal and nonfederal investments in water infrastructure. There is also interest in altering how the USACE is structured and modifying its operations and delivery of water resource projects. This report provides an overview of H.R. 8 and S. 2800, including context related to the bills and the topics shaping deliberations. After a brief background, the report presents a broad overview of the two bills. The next section describes the context for the USACE provisions and discusses how the two bills address selected topics. The final section describes EPA-related provisions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Tiemann, Mary
2018-06-01
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PFAS and Drinking Water: Selected EPA and Congressional Actions [Updated August 20, 2019]
From the Document: "Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are fluorinated chemicals that have been used in an array of commercial, industrial, and U.S. military applications for decades. Some of the more common applications include nonstick coatings, food wrappers, waterproof materials, and fire suppressants. Detections of some PFAS in drinking water supplies and uncertainty about potential health effects associated with exposure to particular PFAS above certain concentrations have increased calls for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address these substances in public water supplies. For those few PFAS for which scientific information is available, animal studies suggest that exposure to particular substances above certain levels may be linked to various health effects, including developmental effects; changes in liver, immune, and thyroid function; and increased risk of some cancers. In 2009, EPA listed certain PFAS for formal evaluation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to determine whether regulations may be warranted. EPA has not issued drinking water regulations for any PFAS but has taken various actions to address PFAS contamination."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Tiemann, Mary
2019-08-20
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PFAS and Drinking Water: Selected EPA and Congressional Actions [Updated January 23, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides an overview of EPA's ongoing and proposed actions to address PFAS [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances] under SDWA [Safe Drinking Water Act] authorities, with particular focus on the statutory process for evaluating PFAS--particularly PFOA [particularly perfluorooctanoic acid] and PFOS [perfluorooctane sulfonate]--for potential regulation. It also reviews PFAS-related legislation introduced in the 116th Congress, with emphasis on bills that would amend SDWA. This report does not address the status of scientific research on health effects that may be associated with exposure to one or more PFAS, nor does it discuss federal actions regarding other environmental statutes, such as the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Tiemann, Mary
2020-01-23
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PFAS and Drinking Water: Selected EPA and Congressional Actions [July 2, 2019]
From the Document: "Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are fluorinated chemicals that have been used in an array of commercial, industrial, and U.S. military applications for decades. Some of the more common applications include nonstick coatings, food wrappers, waterproof materials, and fire suppressants. Detections of some PFAS in drinking water supplies and uncertainty about potential health effects associated with exposure to particular PFAS above certain concentrations have increased calls for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA )to address these substances in public water supplies. For those few PFAS for which scientific information is available, animal studies suggest that exposure to particular substances above certain levels may be linked to various health effects, including developmental effects; changes in liver, immune,and thyroid function; and increased risk of some cancers. In 2009, EPA listed certain PFAS for formal evaluation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to determine whether regulations may be warranted. EPA has not issued drinking water regulations for any PFAS but has taken various actions to address PFAS contamination."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Tiemann, Mary
2019-07-02
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Regulating Drinking Water Contaminants: EPA PFAS Actions [Updated February 26, 2020]
From the Document: "The 116th Congress has held hearings and passed legislation directing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other departments and agencies to take a range of actions to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. EPA actions to respond to PFAS contamination under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) have received significant attention. The National Defense Authorization Act for FY2020 (NDAA, P.L. 116-92) amended SDWA to increase PFAS monitoring and authorize appropriations for grants to address PFAS in public water supplies, among other PFAS provisions. Over the past decade, EPA has been evaluating several PFAS under SDWA to determine whether national drinking water regulations are warranted for one or more of these substances. On February 20, 2020, EPA announced preliminary decisions to develop SDWA regulations for the two most frequently detected PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). This In Focus outlines EPA actions to address PFAS under SDWA and reviews related legislation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary; Humphreys, Elena H.
2020-02-26
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Regulating Drinking Water Contaminants: EPA PFAS Actions [Updated January 21, 2020]
From the Document: "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) efforts to address the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water has been the focus of increased congressional attention. Over the past decade, EPA has been evaluating several PFAS under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to determine whether national drinking water regulations may be warranted. EPA has not issued SDWA regulations for any PFAS but has taken other actions to address PFAS in drinking water. The 116th Congress has held hearings and passed legislation directing EPA and other departments and agencies to take a range of actions to address PFAS contamination. In February 2019, EPA issued a PFAS Action Plan (EPA 823R18004), which discusses EPA's efforts to address PFAS under multiple environmental laws. This In Focus outlines the agency's activities to address PFAS using SDWA authorities and reviews related legislative actions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Tiemann, Mary
2020-01-21
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Federal Role in Responding to Potential Risks of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) [October 23, 2019]
From the Document: "Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large, diverse group of fluorinated compounds that have been used in numerous commercial, industrial, and U.S. military applications. Among other uses, PFAS have been used in fire-fighting foams and in the processing and manufacture of many commercial products (e.g., nonstick cookware, stain- and water-resistant fabrics). PFAS are persistent in the environment, and studies of several PFAS suggest that exposures above certain levels may lead to adverse health effects. [...] This report focuses on federal authorities under which EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] and other agencies have taken actions to address potential risks of PFAS. It does not discuss other laws under which EPA or other agencies may take additional actions, or actions under state laws. The report begins with a brief discussion of the chemical properties, uses, and varying risks of PFAS, followed by discussions of federal actions, relevant legislation enacted in the 115th Congress, and relevant legislation in the 116th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bearden, David M.; Yen, Jerry H.; Tiemann, Mary . . .
2019-10-23
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Water Infrastructure Financing: History of EPA Appropriations [Updated April 10, 2019]
From the Document: "The Clean Water Act (CWA) authorizes the principal federal program to aid municipal wastewater treatment plant construction and related eligible activities. Congress established this program in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (P.L. 92-500) (although prior versions of the act had authorized less ambitious grants assistance since 1956). Title II of P.L. 92-500 authorized grants to states for wastewater treatment plant construction under a program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Federal funds were provided through annual appropriations under a state-by-state allocation formula contained in the act itself. [...] The first section of this report includes a table that summarizes the history of appropriations for both wastewater and drinking water infrastructure programs. The next section discusses several historical developments in water infrastructure funding. The last section contains a detailed chronology of congressional activity regarding wastewater and drinking water infrastructure funding for each fiscal year since the 1987 CWA amendments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Tiemann, Mary
2019-04-10
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Water Infrastructure Financing: History of EPA Appropriations [August 1, 2018]
"The Clean Water Act (CWA) authorizes the principal federal program to aid municipal wastewater treatment plant construction and related eligible activities. Congress established this program in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (P.L. 92-500) (although prior versions of the act had authorized less ambitious grants assistance since 1956). Title II of P.L. 92-500 authorized grants to states for wastewater treatment plant construction under a program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Federal funds were provided through annual appropriations under a state-by-state allocation formula contained in the act itself. States used their allotments to make grants to cities to build or upgrade wastewater treatment plants, supporting the overall objectives of the act: restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters. The federal share of project costs, originally 75% under P.L. 92-500, was reduced to 55% in 1981."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Tiemann, Mary
2018-08-01
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Water Infrastructure Needs and Investment: Review and Analysis of Key Issues [December 21, 2010]
"Policymakers are giving increased attention to issues associated with financing and investing in the nation's drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, which take in water, treat it, and distribute it to households and other customers, and later collect, treat, and discharge water after use. The renewed attention is due to a combination of factors. These include financial impacts on communities of meeting existing and anticipated regulatory requirements, the need to repair and replace existing infrastructure, concerns about paying for security-related projects, and proposals to stimulate U.S. economic activity by building and rebuilding the nation's infrastructure. [...] This report identifies a number of issues that continue to receive attention in connection with water infrastructure investment. It begins with a review of federal involvement; describes the debate about needs; and then examines key issues, including what is the nature of the problems to be solved, who will pay, and what is the federal role, and questions about mechanisms for delivering federal support. Congressional and Administration activity on these issues since the 107th Congress also is reviewed. (For detailed information on legislative activity in the 111th Congress, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report R40098, 'Water Quality Issues in the 111th Congress: Oversight and Implementation,' and CRS Report RS22037, 'Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF): Program Overview and Issues.)'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary; Copeland, Claudia
2010-12-21
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Water Infrastructure Needs and Investment: Review and Analysis of Key Issues [Updated January 23, 2008]
"Policymakers are giving increased attention to issues associated with financing and investing in the nation's drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, which take in water, treat it, and distribute it to households and other customers, and later collect, treat, and discharge water after use. The renewed attention is due to a combination of factors. These include financial impacts on communities of meeting existing and anticipated regulatory requirements, the need to repair and replace existing infrastructure, and concerns about paying for security-related projects. This report identifies a number of issues that have received attention in connection with water infrastructure investment. It begins with a review of federal involvement, describes the debate about needs, and then examines key issues, including what is the nature of the problems to be solved; who will pay, and what is the federal role; and questions about mechanisms for delivering federal support, including state-by-state allotment of federal funds. Congressional and Administration activity on these issues from the 107th to the 109th Congresses also is reviewed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary; Copeland, Claudia
2008-01-23
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Water Infrastructure Needs and Investment: Review and Analysis of Key Issues [Updated November 28, 2007]
"Policymakers are giving increased attention to issues associated with financing and investing in the nation's drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, which take in water, treat it, and distribute it to households and other customers, and later collect, treat, and discharge water after use. The renewed attention is due to a combination of factors. These include financial impacts on communities of meeting existing and anticipated regulatory requirements, the need to repair and replace existing infrastructure, and concerns about paying for security-related projects. The federal government has a long history of involvement with wastewater and drinking water systems, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) having the most significant role, both in terms of regulation and funding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also plays an important role in rural communities through its water and wastewater loan and grant programs. These programs have been popular; however, states, local communities, and others have asserted that various program gaps and limitations may be diminishing their potential effectiveness. They also point to the emergence of new infrastructure needs and issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary; Copeland, Claudia
2007-11-28
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Water Infrastructure Needs and Investment: Review and Analysis of Key Issues [Updated May 5, 2005]
"A number of interest groups and coalitions have issued reports on infrastructure funding needs and related policy issues, as have EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). They present a range of estimates and scenarios of future investment costs and gaps between current spending and future costs. EPA and CBO, in particular, caution that projections of future costs are highly uncertain, and that funding gaps are not inevitable. […]. Congressional interest in these issues has grown for some time and continues in the 109th Congress, partly in response to urgings of stakeholder groups. In both the 107th and 108th Congresses, House and Senate committees acted on comprehensive legislation to reauthorize and modify infrastructure financing programs in the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, but no bills were enacted. The Bush Administration has addressed water infrastructure in a number of general ways, but has not offered legislative proposals of its own. EPA's principal initiative has been to support strategies intended to ensure that infrastructure investment needs are met in an efficient, timely, and equitable manner. This report identifies a number of issues that have received attention in connection with water infrastructure investment. It begins with a review of federal involvement, describes the debate about needs, and then examines key issues, including what is the nature of the problems to be solved; who will pay, and what is the federal role; and questions about mechanisms for delivering federal support, including state-by-state allotment of federal funds."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary; Copeland, Claudia
2005-05-05
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Water Infrastructure Needs and Investment: Review and Analysis of Key Issues [Updated November 24, 2008]
"This report identifies a number of issues that have received attention in connection with water infrastructure investment. It begins with a review of federal involvement, describes the debate about needs, and then examines key issues, including what is the nature of the problems to be solved; who will pay, and what is the federal role; and questions about mechanisms for delivering federal support, including state-by-state allotment of federal funds. Congressional and Administration activity on these issues from the 107th to the 110th Congresses also is reviewed." "Policymakers are giving increased attention to issues associated with financing and investing in the nation's drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, which take in water, treat it, and distribute it to households and other customers, and later collect, treat, and discharge water after use. The renewed attention is due to a combination of factors. These include financial impacts on communities of meeting existing and anticipated regulatory requirements, the need to repair and replace existing infrastructure, concerns about paying for security-related projects, and proposals to stimulate U.S. economic activity by building and rebuilding the nation's infrastructure. The federal government has a long history of involvement with wastewater and drinking water systems, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) having the most significant role, both in terms of regulation and funding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also plays an important role in rural communities through its water and wastewater loan and grant programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary; Copeland, Claudia
2008-11-24
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Water Infrastructure Financing: The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program [April 5, 2017]
From the Summary: "In recent years, policymakers have considered several legislative options to help finance water infrastructure projects, including projects to build and upgrade wastewater and drinking water treatment systems. This report examines one particular option, a 'Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act' (WIFIA) program, which Congress included in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA, P.L. 113-121)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Tiemann, Mary
2017-04-05
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Water Infrastructure Financing: The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program [September 26, 2018]
"Water infrastructure issues, regarding funding in particular, continue to receive attention from some Members of Congress and a wide array of stakeholders. Localities are primarily responsible for providing wastewater and drinking water infrastructure services. According to the most recent estimates by states and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), expected capital costs for such facilities total $744 billion over a 20-year period. While some analysts and stakeholders debate whether these estimates understate or overstate capital needs, most agree that the affected communities face formidable challenges in providing adequate and reliable water infrastructure services. Capital investments in water infrastructure are necessary to maintain high quality service that protects public health and the environment, and capital facilities are a major investment for local governments. The vast majority of public capital projects are debt-financed (i.e., they are not financed on a pay-as-you-go basis from ongoing revenues to the water utility). The principal financing tool that local governments use is the issuance of tax-exempt municipal bonds. At least 70% of U.S. water utilities rely on municipal bonds and other debt to some degree to finance capital investments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Tiemann, Mary
2018-09-26
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Water Infrastructure Financing: The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program [Updated May 1, 2019]
From the Introduction: "Water infrastructure issues, particularly regarding funding, continue to receive attention from some Members of Congress and a wide array of stakeholders. Localities are primarily responsible for providing wastewater and drinking water infrastructure services. According to the most recent estimates by states and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), expected capital costs for such facilities total $744 billion over a 20-year period. 1 While some analysts and stakeholders debate whether these estimates understate or overstate capital needs, most agree that the affected communities face formidable challenges in providing adequate and reliable water infrastructure services."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Tiemann, Mary
2019-05-01
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Funding for EPA Water Infrastructure: A Fact Sheet [November 5, 2018]
"Federal funding to assist communities with capital projects to meet the water-related goals and requirements of federal laws has been provided through programs in the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Safe Drinking Water Act. This report provides a table showing budget requests and appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) water infrastructure assistance programs under these two laws since 1973. The Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 (P.L. 80-845) established a grant program to assist localities with planning and design work and authorized loans for treatment plant construction. In subsequent amendments, federal assistance increased and a construction grant program replaced the loan program. In the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (P.L. 92-500, popularly known as the Clean Water Act), Congress established the first national standards for sewage treatment and significantly increased federal funding to help communities meet the law's standards"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Tiemann, Mary
2018-11-05
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Federally Supported Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment Programs [November 28, 2017]
"This report provides background information on the types of water supply and wastewater treatment projects traditionally funded by the federal government and the several existing programs to assist communities with water supply and wastewater treatment. For more than four decades, Congress has authorized and refined several programs to help communities address water supply and wastewater problems. The agencies that administer these programs differ in multiple ways. For example, in terms of funding mechanisms, projects developed by the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers typically require direct, individual project authorizations from Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Boyd, Eugene; Carter, Nicole T. . . .
2017-11-28
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Federally Supported Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment Programs [Updated May 3, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information on the types of water supply and wastewater treatment projects traditionally funded by the federal government and the several existing programs to assist communities with water supply and wastewater treatment. For more than four decades, Congress has authorized and refined several programs to help communities address water supply and wastewater problems. The agencies that administer these programs differ in multiple ways. For example, in terms of funding mechanisms, projects developed by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) typically require direct, individual project authorizations from Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Boyd, Eugene; Cowan, Tadlock . . .
2019-05-03
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Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF): Program Overview and Issues [February 6, 2015]
"In the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments of 1996, Congress authorized a drinking water state revolving loan fund (DWSRF) program to help public water systems finance infrastructure projects needed to comply with federal drinking water regulations and to meet the act's health objectives. Under this program, states receive annual capitalization grants to provide financial assistance (primarily subsidized loans) to public water systems for drinking water projects and other specified activities. Through June 2012, Congress had provided $14.7 billion for the DWSRF program, and combined with the 20% state match, bond proceeds, and other funds, the program had generated $23.6 billion in assistance and supported 9,990 projects. To date, Congress has appropriated approximately $18.2 billion for the program. […] For FY2015, the President requested $757 million for the DWSRF program, while Congress provided $906.9 million in P.L. 113-235. For FY2016, the President has requested $1.186 billion for the program. Several measures in the 113th Congress proposed alternative approaches for financing water infrastructure. In the Water Resources Development Act of 2014, P.L. 113-121, Congress authorized a five-year pilot loan guarantee program to promote increased development of, and private investment in, water infrastructure projects. The conferees noted that the pilot program is intended to complement, not replace, the drinking water SRF program and the similar Clean Water Act SRF program. In the 114th Congress, bills have been introduced to authorize more funding for existing programs and to revise the tax code to stimulate private-sector investment in water infrastructure projects."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary
2015-02-06
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Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF): Program Overview and Issues [April 8, 2015]
"In the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments of 1996, Congress authorized a drinking water state revolving loan fund (DWSRF) program to help public water systems finance infrastructure projects needed to comply with federal drinking water regulations and to meet the act's health objectives. Under this program, states receive annual capitalization grants to provide financial assistance (primarily subsidized loans) to public water systems for drinking water projects and other specified activities. Through June 2012, Congress had provided $14.7 billion for the DWSRF program, and--combined with the 20% state match, bond proceeds, and other funds--the program had generated $23.6 billion in assistance for 9,990 projects. To date, Congress has appropriated more than $19 billion for the program. The latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) survey of capital improvement needs for public water systems indicates that these water systems need to invest $384.2 billion on infrastructure improvements over 20 years to ensure the provision of safe tap water. EPA reports that, although all of the identified projects promote the public health objectives of the SDWA, just $42.0 billion (10.9%) of reported needs are attributable to SDWA compliance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary
2015-04-08
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Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF): Program Overview and Issues [April 10, 2014]
"In the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments of 1996, Congress authorized a drinking water state revolving loan fund (DWSRF) program to help public water systems finance infrastructure projects needed to comply with federal drinking water regulations and to meet the act's health objectives. Under this program, states receive annual capitalization grants to provide financial assistance (primarily subsidized loans) to public water systems for drinking water projects and other specified activities. Through June 2012, Congress had provided $14.7 billion for the DWSRF program, and combined with the 20% state match, bond proceeds, and other funds, the program generated $23.6 billion in assistance and supported 9,990 projects. The latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) survey of capital improvement needs for public water systems indicates that these water systems need to invest $384.2 billion on infrastructure improvements over 20 years to ensure the provision of safe tap water. EPA reports that, although all of the identified projects promote the public health objectives of the SDWA, just $42.0 billion (10.9%) of reported needs are attributable to SDWA compliance. Key program issues include the gap between estimated needs and funding; the growing cost of complying with SDWA standards, particularly for small communities; the ability of small or economically disadvantaged communities to afford DWSRF financing; and the broader need for cities to maintain, upgrade, and expand infrastructure unrelated to SDWA compliance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary
2014-04-10
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Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF): Program Overview and Issues [March 27, 2014]
"In the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments of 1996, Congress authorized a drinking water state revolving loan fund (DWSRF) program to help public water systems finance infrastructure projects needed to comply with federal drinking water regulations and to meet the act's health objectives. Under this program, states receive annual capitalization grants to provide financial assistance (primarily subsidized loans) to public water systems for drinking water projects and other specified activities. Through June 2012, Congress had provided $14.7 billion for the DWSRF program, and combined with the 20% state match, bond proceeds, and other funds, the program generated $23.6 billion in assistance and supported 9,990 projects. The latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) survey of capital improvement needs for public water systems indicates that these water systems need to invest $384.2 billion on infrastructure improvements over 20 years to ensure the provision of safe tap water. EPA reports that, although all of the identified projects promote the public health objectives of the SDWA, just $42.0 billion (10.9%) of reported needs are attributable to SDWA compliance. Key program issues include the gap between estimated needs and funding; the growing cost of complying with SDWA standards, particularly for small communities; the ability of small or economically disadvantaged communities to afford DWSRF financing; and the broader need for cities to maintain, upgrade, and expand infrastructure unrelated to SDWA compliance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary
2014-03-27
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Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF): Program Overview and Issues [May 3, 2017]
"The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the federal authority for regulating contaminants in public water supplies. It includes the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program, established in 1996 to help public water systems finance infrastructure projects needed to comply with federal drinking water regulations and to meet the SDWA's health objectives. Under this program, states receive annual capitalization grants to provide financial assistance (primarily subsidized loans) to public water systems for drinking water projects and other specified activities. Between FY1997 and FY2015, Congress had appropriated approximately $20 billion, and more than 12,400 projects had received assistance through the program. The latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) survey of capital improvement needs indicates that public water systems need to invest $384.2 billion on infrastructure improvements over 20 years to ensure the provision of safe drinking water. [...] The state of the nation's water infrastructure and the challenges many communities face in addressing infrastructure needs continue to receive congressional attention. A number of bills have been introduced in the 115th Congress to revise and increase funding authority for the DWSRF program and to increase investment in water infrastructure through new approaches."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary
2017-05-03
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COVID-19 and Public Water Service Continuity [Updated May 13, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased attention to several issues regarding the provision of public water services. These include long-standing water-rate affordability concerns, the importance of clean water to public health, and the financial sustainability of some public water systems (whether publicly or privately owned). The spread of COVID-19 has raised specific concerns regarding the continuity of residential water services needed to support hand-washing and other public health measures--particularly as more customers may become unable to pay water bills because of job losses or reduced income. At the same time, water service providers are projecting substantial revenue losses related to COVID-19. Policy options being discussed to alleviate such impacts and help ensure the continuity of water service include providing temporary assistance to households and/or water systems."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Tiemann, Mary
2020-05-13
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Overview of Unconventional Oil and Natural Gas: Resources and Federal Actions [November 21, 2014]
"The United States has seen resurgence in petroleum production, mainly driven by technology improvements--especially hydraulic fracturing and directional drilling--developed for natural gas production from shale formations. Application of these technologies enabled natural gas to be economically produced from shale and other unconventional formations, and contributed to the United States becoming the world's largest natural gas producer in 2009. Use of these technologies has also contributed to the rise in U.S. oil production over the last few years.[…] This report focuses on the growth in U.S. oil and natural gas production driven primarily by tight oil formations and shale gas formations. It also reviews selected federal environmental regulatory and research initiatives related to unconventional oil and gas extraction, including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposed hydraulic fracturing rule and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) actions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary; Ratner, Michael
2014-11-21
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Overview of Unconventional Oil and Natural Gas: Resources and Federal Actions [January 23, 2014]
"The United States has seen a resurgence in petroleum production, mainly driven by technology improvements--hydraulic fracturing and directional drilling--developed for natural gas production from shale formations. Application of both of these technologies enabled natural gas to be economically produced from shale and other unconventional formations, and contributed to the United States becoming the world's largest natural gas producer in 2009. Use of these technologies has also contributed to the rise in U.S. oil production over the last few years. In 2009, annual oil production increased over 2008, the first annual rise since 1991, and has continued to increase each year since then. Between October 2007 and October 2013, U.S. monthly crude oil production rose by 2.7 million barrels per day, with about 92% of the increase coming from shale and related tight oil formations in Texas and North Dakota. Other tight oil plays are also being developed, and helped raise the prospect of energy independence, particularly for North America. […] While congressional debate has continued, the Administration has pursued a number of regulatory initiatives related to unconventional oil and gas development under existing statutory authorities. This report focuses on the growth in U.S. oil and natural gas production driven primarily by tight oil formations and shale gas formations. It also reviews selected federal environmental regulatory and research initiatives related to unconventional oil and gas extraction, including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposed hydraulic fracturing rule and EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] actions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary; Ratner, Michael
2014-01-23
