[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 163 (Saturday, December 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 4560, THE ``CLEAN WATER TRUST ACT OF 2005''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2005

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I have introduced the ``Clean Water Trust 
Fund Act of 2005.''
  We are all well aware that our national water infrastructure is 
aging, deteriorating, and in need of repair and replacement. The 
American Society of Civil Engineers recently graded the condition of 
the infrastructure throughout our country. Wastewater infrastructure 
received a ``D-.'' Nearly half of the sewer pipes in American cities 
are over 50 years old. Some are over 100 years old. Treatment plants 
built in the 1970s 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.
  The Congressional Budget Office, EPA, and the Water Infrastructure 
Network have estimated that it could take over $400 billion to address 
our Nation's clean water infrastructure needs over the next 20 years, 
twice the current level of investment by all levels of government. We 
can help reduce the overall cost of water infrastructure with good 
asset management. Innovative technologies, increased water efficiency, 
and regional approaches to water pollution problems also will help 
reduce costs. But, these things alone will not close the large funding 
``gap'' that now exists between water infrastructure needs and current 
levels of spending. Increased investment also must take place.
  A recent survey by the Luntz Research Companies found that most 
Americans believe clean and safe water is a national priority, and are 
willing to pay more to get it. The survey also found that most 
Americans want a sustainable, dedicated source of funding for water 
infrastructure projects, and would support the creation of a 
sustainable trust fund for wastewater infrastructure.
  The ``Clean Water Trust Act of 2005'' addresses these issues by:
  Establishing a Clean Water Trust Fund to provide an assured source of 
funding to help the nation meet its water infrastructure needs.
  Authorizing over $37 billion over five years from the Clean Water 
Trust Fund for increased investment in critical water infrastructure, 
improvements in technology and infrastructure management, addressing 
water quality issues in critical regional waters, and improving and 
protecting wetlands and fisheries uses.
  Encouraging innovative and alternative approaches to solving water 
quality problems and financing infrastructure improvements;
  Encouraging appropriate management of infrastructure assets, 
including planning for the payment of the costs of repair and 
replacement; and
  Increasing support for rural and small communities through technical 
and funding assistance.
  In crafting this bill we have looked at the national goal of 
improving water quality, establishing an assured source of funding to 
help the nation meet its water infrastructure needs, and the 
responsibilities of local communities to provide municipal services and 
maintain their local wastewater systems.
  The ``Clean Water Trust Act of 2005'' embraces innovative solutions 
for these interests and I urge Members to support this legislation.

                          ____________________