As Congress prepares to return from recess on April 20, it is likely to continue its work on coronavirus relief legislation. So far, Congress has passed a number of bills that provide relief to households, businesses, and state and local governments; see last week’s newsletter for a breakdown of those bills. However, it has not yet looked to water infrastructure programs as a vehicle to generate economic activity and job creation.

Early last week, House Democrats began pushing their previously released infrastructure investment plan as a starting point for negotiations over broader stimulus legislation. The proposal includes billions of dollars for water, wastewater, stormwater, and water recycling programs. On Friday, however, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) clarified that a broader infrastructure package would come later, and that the House would instead focus its attention on passing a narrower relief package when it returns from recess.

Nonetheless, in preparation for negotiations over a larger economic stimulus package in the months ahead, we want to make sure that Congress is aware that shovel-ready water recycling projects can assist in our country’s economic recovery. To that end, if your utility or business has projects or project expansions that are primed to move forward in the next 12 to 24 months, we want to know. Congressional staff are looking for the following information ahead of Congress’ return later this month:

• What would you be able to accomplish in the next 12-24 months if you had an additional infusion of funding?
• How much federal and non-federal money could you spend on the project over the next 12-24 months?
• Is there an existing federal program through which this money could be invested?
• Do you have any sense of the economic benefits that this project would generate in your community? Any idea how many jobs would be created or sustained given an additional infusion of funds?

If you have information regarding shovel-ready water recycling projects or expansions, please tell WateReuse about it by sending your information to Greg Fogel (gfogel@watereuse.org).