Today, more than $10 billion in drinking water infrastructure projects are shovel ready and can be underway as soon as funds are committed through the federal government's stimulus package. These projects would put more than 400,000 Americans to work on aging water mains, leaking pipes, treatment plants, pump stations, storage reservoirs, elevated tanks, security safeguards and other needs. This critical work would improve our economy, our environment, and our quality of life for years to come.
The current legislation provides $2 Billion for water projects. However studies show that there is a much greater need for additional funding. We need to urge the Senate to provide at least $10 billion for drinking water infrastructure, to be distributed through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund in the economic stimulus legislation that they are considering.
The House version of the stimulus bill has provided greater funding for wastewater projects ($6 Billion) than drinking water projects ($2 Billion). However, studies show that infrastructure spending for drinking water and wastewater ought be equal. For example, a 2002 report by the Congressional Budget Office, "Future Investment in Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure," showed that drinking water infrastructure spending for the next 20 years needs to be $11.6 billion to $20.1 billion annually above current levels. CBO also reported that wastewater infrastructure spending needs to be $13 billion to $20.9 billion annually above current levels.
Give me your opinion on why you support or don't support the stimulus bill and why you think it would be good /not good for the Intermountain Area. Also, why do you think that Legislators give more priority to wastewater than drinking water?
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