So far, 2018 has proven to be a critical year for the water and wastewater industry, and NASSCO has made a commitment to understand the implications of infrastructure bills and budgets, inform our members of those changes, and partner with other organizations to ensure we have a unified voice to effect positive outcomes for our industry.
While the perception is that things move at a snail’s pace in Washington, D.C., the reality is that if you aren’t on top of the ever-changing political environment, you will quickly be left behind.
Trump’s proposed infrastructure package will generate $1.5 trillion in new infrastructure investments, of which only $200 billion will be from federal funding sources. The remaining will be funded from state, local and private sources. In response to this new plan, NASSCO has identified three main areas of focus and respective recommendations:
1. Strengthen asset management requirements and funding.
1. Require that systemwide asset management plans be in place for all applications to request federally-subsidized grants and loans including Clean Water State Revolving Fund, Drinking Water SRF, and all federal programs that fund collections and conveyance infrastructure.
2. Require that certified inspectors perform inspections of collections and conveyance systems and that a standardized identification and assessment method be used to assess pipe conditions.
3. Require that technical and grant assistance be provided to hardship communities that lack the financial and technical resources to develop comprehensive asset management plans.
2. Maintain regulatory compliance enforcement.
1. Require full funding annually to federal programs and offices that directly (and indirectly) ensure that the Clean Water Act and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits remain in full, regulatory compliance.
3. Increase funding for collections and conveyance infrastructure.
1. Expand funding available through federal programs to increase funding to assess, maintain and rehabilitate wastewater and stormwater collections and conveyance systems.
2. Require the Government Accountability Office to complete a report to Congress analyzing the state of collections and conveyance infrastructure and the national need for its maintenance and repair.
NASSCO’s close proximity to Washington makes it possible for our staff and members to attend congressional fly-ins, and — with the help of our government relations committee and federal relations consultant — stay abreast of the issues that matter most to our organization, our members and our communities.
In order for Washington to listen, however, we need to clearly, reasonably, and frequently share our concerns and proposed solutions, and the only way to do that is through a unified voice. NASSCO has provided turnkey programs to make it easy for members and others aligned to our industry to engage in grass-roots activities such as letter writing, phone calls, participation in fly-in events, social media and other communications. To learn more about ways you can become involved, please visit www.nassco.org.
Get the EDge Training and Continuing Education Courses
PACP TRAINING
July 9 Marriottsville, MD
Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP
Trainer: Ted DeBoda
410-442-7473 or ted.deboda@nassco.org
July 10 Denver, Co
Includes: LACP, PACP, MACP
Trainer: Paul Booth
704-681-3989 or woodsideenv@gmail.com
July 10 Nashville, TN
Includes: LACP, PACP, MACP
Trainer: Jim Harris Jr.
615-254-6002 or jim.harrisjr@jacobs.com
July 11 Los Alamos, NM
Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP
Trainer: Jerry Weimer
513-659-5008 or jerryweimerconsulting@gmail.com
July 17 Jacksonville, Fl
Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP
Trainer: Paul Booth
704-681-3989 or woodsideenv@gmail.com
July 23 Oxnard, Ca
Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP
Trainer: Marilyn Shepard
916-899-8961 or mshepard1@hotmail.com
July 24 Covington, GA
Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP
Trainer: John Jones
678-760-5826 or plumblineconsultant@gmail.com
July 31 Roseville, Ca
Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP
Trainer: Marilyn Shepard
916-899-8961 or mshepard1@hotmail.com
July 31 Miami, Fl
Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP
Trainer: Paul Booth
704-681-3989 or woodsideenv@gmail.com
July 31 Marriottsville, MD
Includes: PACP
Trainer: Rizwan A. Siddiqi, P.E.
240-547-1124 or rizwan.siddiqi@ebaengineering.com
August 14 Covington, GA
Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP
Trainer: John Jones
678-760-5826 or plumblineconsultant@gmail.com
August 14 Birmingham, Al
Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP
Trainer: Paul Booth
704-681-3989 or woodsideenv@gmail.com
August 14 San Francisco, CA
Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP
Trainer: Brandon Conley
248-349-0904 or pacp@dohenycompanies.com
ITCP TRAINING (CIPP and Manhole)
August 1 New Orleans, LA
Includes: ITCP - MANHOLE REHABILITATION
Trainer: Tim Back
513-253-8461 or timbacktwo@gmail.com