[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 86 (Thursday, May 19, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA:
  S. 4279. A bill to increase efficiency and conservation in public 
water systems, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment 
and Public Works.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Water Efficiency, 
Conservation, and Sustainability Act of 2022. This legislation would 
provide $550 million for the Environmental Protection Agency to address 
water inefficiencies and losses in public water systems.
  Leaking pipes waste an estimated 17 percent of water before a drop 
reaches a consumer's faucet. In my home State of California, 8 percent 
is wasted in a State that cannot afford any waste as we face the worst 
drought in 1,200 years.
  Water efficiency is the most cost-effective way to ensure clean, 
affordable drinking water for communities across the country. Much like 
energy efficiency measures, improving water efficiency saves consumers 
money, reduces demand, decreases strain on water supply systems, and 
saves energy.
  Yet Federal spending on energy efficiency and renewable energy has 
outpaced spending on water efficiency and water reuse by approximately 
80 to 1 since 2000, resulting in millions of gallons wasted each year 
that could otherwise be saved or utilized.
  The Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Sustainability Act of 2022 
creates a suite of options for States, municipalities, water systems, 
and Tribal nations to address water inefficiencies and losses in public 
water systems and to support leak reduction as one of the most cost-
effective urban water management tools we have.
  Achieving widespread water efficiency will require both inside-the-
home and inside-the-system upgrades. Fixes at the individual building 
level can add up to make a big difference. The EPA estimates' that 
installation of water-efficient fixtures and appliances can reduce 
water use 20 percent, saves money for consumers as well.
  The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided a 
historic level of water infrastructure investment--including for Bureau 
of Reclamation States and for wastewater efficiency--but more 
investment is needed in the water systems that deliver drinking water 
to our homes and businesses across all States.
  As the Western United States and much of the Southeast enter another 
year of historic drought, investing in resilient water supplies is an 
increasingly urgent priority for the States, water systems, and 
families facing rising water rates.
  In a survey completed as part of a 2014 GAO report, 40 out of 50 
State water managers expected water shortages in some portion of their 
State in the next decade. Improving water efficiency saves money, 
decreases strain on water supply systems, and saves energy.
  I would like to thank my House co-lead, Congressman McNerney, for 
championing this effort with me, and I look forward to working with my 
colleagues to enact the Water Efficiency, Conservation, and 
Sustainability Act of 2022 as we enter into the third year of this 
unprecedented, unrelenting drought.

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