H.R.3202, the "Water Protection and Reinvestment Act," was introduced by Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) on July 14, 2009, with bipartisan support. It establishes a five year $50 billion fund for repairing America's corroded pipes and overburdened sewer systems, which pose serious health, environmental and security risks. The Water Protection and Reinvestment Act will provide a deficit neutral, off-budget and firewalled dedicated revenue source for water infrastructure that will not be subject to the uncertainties of the annual appropriations process.
Unlike the Highway Trust Fund's reliance on the "gas tax" as a sole source of revenue, H.R. 3202 will be financed broadly by small user fees at the manufacturer level on goods that depend on municipal water supplies such as water-based bottled beverages and flushable products that are disposed of and treated by municipal wastewater systems. Additional miniscule fees on pharmaceuticals, over the counter drugs and a small corporate fee will establish a long-term, sustainable source of revenue to ensure economic prosperity and protect the health of people and the environment.
To learn more about H.R. 3202 and what you can do make stable annual funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure a reality, visit the AGC Legislative Action Center.
For additional information, contact Perry L. Fowler at fowlerp@agc.org or (703)837-5321.
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