[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 2, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF THE WATER QUALITY FINANCING ACT OF 2003

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                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 2, 2003

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that today, Chairman Don 
Young and I are introducing the ``Water Quality Financing Act of 
2003.''
  As many members know, the American Society of Civil Engineers 
recently graded the condition of the infrastructure throughout the 
country. Wastewater infrastructure received a ``D.''
  Nearly half of sewer pipes in American cities are over 50 years old. 
Some are over 100 years old. Treatment plants built in the 1970's need 
to be upgraded. New mandates to manage municipal stormwater runoff have 
gone into effect. And water quality must be improved.
  As a nation, we are not investing enough in our wastewater treatment 
infrastructure to ensure that we will continue to keep our waters 
clean. Unless we act, we could lose the significant gains in water 
quality that have been achieved over the last 30 years.
  There are multiple reasons for our current situation.
  The Federal government has redirected local resources by imposing 
unfunded mandates on our communities.
  Some State and local governments have chosen other local priorities 
before maintaining wastewater infrastructure because it was ``out of 
sight, out of mind.''
  But, instead of assigning blame, we need to work together to solve 
these problems.
  We must breathe life into partnerships using the resources of 
Federal, State and local governments, the private sector and local 
ratepayers. No one sector will be able to carry this responsibility 
alone.
  We also must meet the challenge of finding more efficient and less 
expensive ways to address our wastewater treatment needs.
  According to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office, the gap 
between current spending and needed investment could be over $200 
billion over the next 20 years. The actual amount of needed future 
investment depends heavily on the actions of Federal, State and local 
governments.
  If we can achieve a greater environmental return on our investment 
with alternative treatment systems and can increase efficiencies 
through partnerships, regionalization, and improved operation and 
maintenance, we can cut the gap between current spending and needed 
investment in hall
  This means we need to both increase investment and take action to 
reduce costs.
  The ``Water Quality Financing Act of 2003'' addresses these issues 
by:
  (1) Authorizing $20 billion over five years in Federal assistance 
through State Revolving Loan Funds;
  (2) Encouraging innovative and alternative approaches to solving 
water quality problems and financing infrastructure improvements;
  (3) Encouraging appropriate management of infrastructure assets, 
including planning for the payment of the costs of repair and 
replacement; and
  (4) Increasing support for small and disadvantaged communities 
through funding, technical assistance, and increased subsidies.
  There are a variety of competing policies that continue to be 
discussed as we update this program. In crafting this bill we have 
looked at the national goal of improving water quality, the current 
demands on the Federal budget, and the responsibilities of local 
communities to provide municipal services and maintain their local 
wastewater systems.
  We have worked closely with members on both sides of the aisle and 
the various stakeholders to advance the goal of improving the 
infrastructure in the most cost effective manner. We have received 
favorable feedback from diverse parties. The Water Quality Financing 
Act of 2003 embraces innovative solutions for these competing interests 
and I urge members to support this legislation.

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