House Committee Passes Garamendi's Bill to Support California Water Infrastructure Projects

Press Release

Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) announced that his bipartisan bill (H.R.1764) to support local wastewater treatment and water recycling infrastructure projects unanimously passed the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as part of legislation (H.R.1497) reauthorizing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

Representatives Ken Calvert (R-CA), Rob Woodall (R-GA), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), TJ Cox (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Harley Rouda (D-CA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) cosponsored Congressman Garamendi's bill (H.R.1764).

"I am pleased that my bill providing longer Clean Water Act permit terms for public wastewater treatment and water recycling projects has passed committee. My bipartisan bill will cut the national permitting backlog in half and allow state regulators like California's State Water Resources Control Board to focus on long-term water quality planning and updated standards, which everyone supports," said Congressman Garamendi. "I thank House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter A. DeFazio and Ranking Member Sam Graves for including my permitting reform bill in their Clean Water State Revolving Fund reauthorization, and I look forward to working with them to get this passed into law."

Congressman Garamendi's legislation (H.R.1764) would extend the maximum term for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued under the federal Clean Water Act from 5 to 10 years, to better reflect the construction schedules for public agencies.

Current federal law only provides for 5-year NPDES permits terms, which do not reflect construction schedules for public water and wastewater treatment projects. The American Society of Civil Engineers rates America's wastewater infrastructure at D+ grade, requiring $271 billion in public investment over the next 25 years. According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, 95% of spending on water infrastructure is made at the local level.

Congressman Garamendi's legislation (H.R.1764) is endorsed by the: National Association of Clean Water Agencies, National Association of Counties, United States Conference of Mayors, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, National Water Resources Association, Association of California Water Agencies, California Association of Sanitation Agencies, WateReuse Association, and Water Environment Federation.