On March 12, 2009, The U.S. House of Representatives passed HR. 1262, the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009. This bill authorizes $19.4 billion over five years for wastewater infrastructure projects, including $13.8 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) and $2.5 billion for the sewer overflow control grants program. On May 14, 2009, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed companion legislation S.1005, the Water Infrastructure Financing Act of 2009. The Senate bill authorizes $38.9 billion for EPA water infrastructure programs over the next five years, and includes $20 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, $15 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program and $1.85 billion for Sewer Overflow Grants.
New policy in both bills includes language applying Brooks Act qualifications based selection (QBS) for preconstruction design and engineering services with an exemption in S. 1005 for communities of 10,000 persons or less. Both bills also include Davis- Bacon prevailing wage requirements. Key differences between the bills, beyond funding levels, include changes to the current state allocation formula for the Clean Water SRF in the S. 1005. Largely due to AGC and WIN Coalition lobbying efforts, the bill does not include Buy American provisions included in the House version, which are identical to the requirements in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that have slowed down the delivery of these important projects.
Senate EPW staff has indicated that the Senate may bring its bill for a full vote before the August recess. It is crucial that AGC members write their Senators and urge them to support this bill. Click here to visit the AGC Legislative Action Center and write your Senator.
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