Washington, D.C.  – U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., R-Lafayette, today participated in hearings before the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Development focused on the need for renewed investment in clean water infrastructure, particularly concerning the Clean Water Act.  During the hearing, the subcommittee unanimously approved legislation introduced by Representative Boustany to require a study by the General Accounting Office (GAO) to examine alternative funding and investments – both public and private – that could be used to help local communities fund water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

“Since 1972, quality standards set by the Clean Water Act have helped local communities in Southwest Louisiana improve the quality of our waterways,” Boustany said.  “The study I proposed today is an important step towards helping these municipalities cover that cost.”  

A recent “gap analysis” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that over the next 20 years, between $300 billion and $400 billion in capital investment is needed for restoration and replacement of the nation’s aging wastewater infrastructure.  The study proposed by Representative Boustany will examine the many funding alternatives that may exist for local communities maintain sustainable wastewater systems through public and private investment.   

“Our wastewater needs will dramatically increase over the next twenty years,” Boustany added.  “In order to address this problem it is important that we seek alternative funding sources, including those from the private sector.”  

The Clean Water Act provided for the establishment and capitalization of the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Funds (Clean Water SRF) to aid in funding the construction of wastewater treatment around the Nation.   Clean Water SRFs are available to local communities to implement water pollution control programs, and those that maintain the goals of the Clean Water Act.