Advocacy in Action
The WateReuse Association advocates for policies and funding to support water reuse every day. “Advocacy in Action” is a central repository for our advocacy action items and resources, including letters to Congress, policy analyses, fact sheets, and more. This tool allows members to track our advocacy and serves as a resource for members when communicating with their specific congressional delegations.
Administration Advocacy
The executive branch includes the president, vice president, the Cabinet, executive departments, independent agencies, and other boards, commissions, and committees. The Administration carries out and enforces laws.
White House
- Joint Water Sector letter on the importance of the National Water Reuse Action Plan (December 3, 2020)
- Recommendations to President-Elect Biden’s transition team, urging the incoming Administration to prioritize water recycling (November 9, 2020)
National Water Reuse Action Plan
- WateReuse Comments on the draft National Water Reuse Action Plan (December 16, 2019)
- Joint Water Sector Comments on the draft National Water Reuse Action Plan (December 16, 2019)
- Joint Water Sector Comments on the development of the EPA/Federal Agency National Water Reuse Action Plan (July 1, 2019)
Policies and Regulation
- Comment Letter on EPA’s draft guidance memorandum on the “Functional Equivalent” discharge test for groundwater discharges (January 12, 2021)
Congressional Advocacy: 117th Congress
Budget
The federal budget contains estimates of income and spending and recommends funding levels. Congress then must pass appropriations bills based on the president’s recommendations and Congressional priorities.
Appropriations
Appropriations are annual decisions made by Congress about how the federal government spends some of its money.
Water Reuse Infrastructure Investment Legislation
- Support letter urging infrastructure investment package that includes water recycling (April 2, 2021)
- Joint water sector letter in support of federal investment in water infrastructure (March 24, 201)
- Support letter for Senate’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (March 22, 2021)
- Support letter to Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) for the Water Recycling Investment and Improvement Act (HR 1015) (March 1, 2021)
- Support letter for House Water Recycling Investment and Improvement Act of 2021 (March 1, 2021)
- Written Testimony for U.S. House Hearing, “Building Back Better: The Urgent Need for Investment in America’s Wastewater Infrastructure” (February 22, 2021)
- Agricultural-Water Sectors Joint Letter urging stimulus funding for water reuse and other water infrastructure (January 11, 2021)
COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic
Advocacy
- Joint water sector letter to House and Senate leadership urging COVID-19 relief to utilities and ratepayers (November 16, 2020)
- Joint water sector letter to House and Senate leadership urging funding to utilities to cover costs associated with coronavirus pandemic, as well as increased funding for water infrastructure programs (March 23, 2020)
- Joint water sector letter to House and Senate leadership urging capital assistance and pandemic risk insurance for associations and non-profits (March 23, 2020)
- Support letter to House and Senate leadership urging that any Coronavirus stimulus package include investment in Title XVI investment (March 19, 2020)
Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Water Transmission and COVID-19
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Coronavirus and Drinking Water and Wastewater
- H.R. 748, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
Resources
- Committee Roster – The chairs and ranking members of the congressional committees and subcommittee most relevant to water policy.
- Funding Policy Priorities – Joint water sector legislative policy priorities, which will be communicated to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
- Title XVI GAO Report – A Government Accountability Office analysis found that the Bureau of Reclamation awarded about $715 million in water reuse grants for 46 construction projects and 71 studies under the Title XVI grant program from 1992-2017. (January 15, 2019)
- National Advocacy Opportunities Webcast – Top Washington water sector lobbyists discuss the status of key legislation and explain the opportunities to advance a water reuse policy agenda. (January 16, 2019)