President Signs Bipartisan Infrastructure Package by ACWA Staff Nov 16, 2021 Water News On Nov. 15, President Joe Biden signed the bipartisan infrastructure package called the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The $1.2 trillion physical-infrastructure package features $8.3 billion for Western water infrastructure, $3.3 billion for wildfire mitigation as well as $2.1 billion for ecosystem restoration and $55 billion for drinking water. “ACWA applauds this bipartisan commitment to invest in water infrastructure on a historic scale which will provide western water managers with valuable resources for storage, conveyance, recycling, ecosystem and dam safety projects,” said ACWA Executive Director Dave Eggerton. “Today represents a milestone in our nation’s collective ability to achieve water infrastructure resilience and ensure a safe, reliable and high-quality supply of water now and for future generations.” The signing followed months of negotiations between Congress and the White House over spending, project types, priorities, timelines. The bipartisan package passed the Senate 69-30 in August and was agreed to in the House 228-206 in the early morning hours of Nov. 6. Through the work of a national coalition of more than 200 agricultural, urban and municipal water entities, including ACWA, healthy investments can be found in the package to support drought relief in the Southwest, increase water infrastructure resilience, and combat and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. ACWA staff has consistently engaged in shaping the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as well as the Build Back Better Act, to ensure funding for a diversified water management portfolio that enhances water supply and quality for urban and environmental uses, while keeping water flowing to Western farms and rural communities. Much of the advocacy has been through the coordination of a diverse coalition of more than 200 agricultural, urban, and municipal water entities. Letters submitted to Congress can be found on ACWA’s website, along with a more detailed breakdown of the funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
