Congressman Salazar Advocates for Consistent Clean Water Funds

WASHINGTON, DC – At a hearing of the House Transportation Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment today, Congressman John T. Salazar (CO-3) advocated for a dedicated source of federal funds for water infrastructure projects. Salazar encouraged Congress to examine the possibility of setting up a clean water trust fund to aid rural communities’ efforts to maintain and improve water resources.

“In rural Colorado, water isn’t a luxury used for making lush lawns – our livelihoods depend on access to water,” said Salazar. “Rural communities have tried to make a go on their own, but federal assistance is often the only way to see large scale projects through. Simply recognizing the need to invest in water infrastructure isn’t enough.  We need to put greater force into making sure that rural communities get real support.”

Salazar is a Member of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over water quality and wastewater infrastructure programs, including the Clean Water Act. Though the Clean Water Act established a Revolving Fund to aid states in constructing wastewater treatment works and other wastewater infrastructure, monies are not guaranteed.  Colorado’s clean water problem will only become worse in the wake of a spending bill virtually eliminating Colorado’s clean water and conservation funds.

The Committee debated the merits of establishing a national clean water trust fund, similar to the national highway and aviation trust funds, which could ensure that communities would get the financing they need. The Committee plans to hold another hearing next week to hear the needs of municipalities.

“We’ve had clean water funding problems for decades,” said Salazar.  “Making sure that money actually gets to clean water programs and infrastructure projects is something this Congress should tackle.”

Salazar highlighted the recent contamination of Fountain Creek in the Arkansas Valley as a prime example of challenges faced by rural communities. Just this past weekend, more than 25,000 gallons of untreated water contaminated the Fountain Creek, which converges with the Arkansas River, Southern Colorado’s largest source of irrigation and municipal water.

“The issue of clean water hits home all too well,” said Salazar.