Washington, D.C.  – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved the Healthy Communities Water Supply Act of 2007 (H.R. 700), a comprehensive bill to provide funding for states and municipalities to target water quality standards.  U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., R-Lafayette, praised the bill, which he helped drive through the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.

“These water infrastructure projects are essential to the health of our economy and our environment in Southwest Louisiana,” Boustany said.  “With the increased growth in our region, it is all the more important for local and rural communities to receive additional funding for their wastewater needs.”  

The Healthy Communities Water Supply Act of 2007 authorizes $14 billion from 2008 through 2011 for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to further capitalize the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Funds, which provide low interest loans to communities for wastewater infrastructure projects.  

This bill is the second water infrastructure measure to be passed by the House this week.  Yesterday, the House approved the Water Quality Investment Act of 2007 by a vote of 367 to 58.  Congressman Boustany led debate on the House floor in favor of the bill, which assists municipalities and states in controlling combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).

“Reducing the occurrence of overflows is a major concern for local leaders in Southwest Louisiana,” Boustany added.  “I was proud to lead the floor debate in favor of this bill, and I look forward to continuing to be an advocate for our rural communities.  Both of the bills passed by the House this week are a huge step forward in our commitment to improving water quality throughout the country.”