WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Environment and the Economy Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY) applauded President Obama for signing S. 611, the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act, into law. This legislation helps to provide much-needed funding for small and rural water systems across the country so that communities can ensure clean water is delivered to their residents. The bipartisan House companion bill, H.R. 2853, was introduced earlier this year by Congressman Tonko and Congressman Gregg Harper (R-MS).
“Many small and rural communities face challenges in maintaining and upgrading aging water infrastructure, and the revenue potential for these systems does not support full-time technical positions. This bipartisan, bicameral bill helps us to help these communities to deliver clean water to residents. Technical assistance for small systems is essential to finding the most cost-effective solutions to these problems. It is my hope that we can build on this success in the House for more ambitious but responsible programs in the future," said Tonko.
“It is clear we should be doing much more to assist states and water utilities to reduce this backlog," Tonko added. “I hope Republicans and Democrats recognize the passage of this bill as just the beginning of the drinking water infrastructure challenges we face."
“I applaud the President for signing this bipartisan legislation into law. Small public drinking water systems face unique challenges, and S. 611 will help to ensure that these systems can provide safe drinking water to their communities," said Pallone. “This is a good step towards addressing our drinking water needs, and I am hopeful we can continue working across the aisle to tackle other issues facing our water systems, including reauthorizing the State Revolving Fund."
