$11 Billion Boost for Drinking Water, Great Lakes in House Interior Bill

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (July 7, 2020)—The Healing Our Waters Great Lakes Coalition is strongly supporting the U.S. House Interior and Environment funding bill, which contains substantial increases in clean water priorities, including Great Lakes restoration, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, and lead-reduction in drinking water. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies today approved by voice vote its fiscal year 2021 bill. The bill’s modest year-over-year increases are bolstered substantially by more than $11 billion in emergency supplemental funding for clean water programs that were added to the bill.“The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition fully supports the House Interior and Environment funding bill," said Laura Rubin, director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. "The bill substantially boosts federal investments in clean water priorities that will accelerate progress in restoring the Great Lakes, protecting our drinking water, improving access to affordable water, safeguarding public health, and bolstering the economy. The priorities in this bill have been long-term Coalition priorities, and we look forward to working with bipartisan members in the House to pass this legislation to better our environment and economy, and to protect our public health.”The Interior and Environment funding bill, which was favorably reported by the subcommittee today is headed for full committee vote on Friday, includes:Regular Appropriations:

• Great Lakes Restoration Initiative: Up to $335 million -- $15 million increase from Fiscal Year 2020 enacted (FY2020).
• Clean Water State Revolving Fund: $1,638,826,000 -- no increase from FY2020.
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund: $1,126,088,000 -- no increase from FY2020.
• Small and Disadvantaged Communities program: $26,000,000 -- $592,000 increase from FY2020.
• Lead testing in Schools program: $26,000,000 -- no increase from FY2020.
• Reducing Lead in Drinking Water program: $20,000,000 -- $489,000 increase from FY2020.
• Sec. 221 Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants: $56,700,000 -- $28.7 million increase.

Additional Emergency Supplemental Funding:

• Clean Water State Revolving Fund: $6,355,000,000
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund: $3,855,000,000
• Lead Testing in Schools: $50,000,000
• Reducing Lead in Drinking Water: $500,000,000
• Sec. 221 Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants: $400,000,000

The clean water priorities in the bill have been long-standing priorities for the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. The bill includes funding for fiscal year 2021, which begins October 1, 2020, and ends September 30, 2021.