Rep. Calvert Introduces Bill to Support Wastewater Treatment and Water Recycling Projects
Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) along with Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08) introduced legislation, H.R. 2093, to reform federal permitting standards for local wastewater treatment and water recycling projects. The legislation would extend the maximum term for certain permits issued under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08) is the Democratic co-lead of the bill, and Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC-07) is an original cosponsor.
“Water infrastructure investments across California and other states are critical to maintaining our access to clean and reliable water supplies,” said Rep. Calvert. “This legislation takes a common sense step of reforming our federal permitting requirements to correspond to the time it takes to build water infrastructure projects.”
“Every Californian and American deserves clean water and world-class infrastructure, but too often these projects are delayed,” said Rep. Garamendi. “There are water recycling projects in California in their third permit term that have never even broken ground. This is unacceptable. Our bill upholds Clean Water Act protections while ensuring federal permits accurately reflect the construction timeframe of water projects, cutting the permitting backlog in half. California needs upgrades to aging water treatment plants in the Bay Area and new water recycling facilities to meet our water supply needs.
“To extend permits for up to 10 years means we can help eliminate backlogs and delays, and better use taxpayer dollars on our priority infrastructure projects,” said American Public Works Association President Dominick A. Longobardi, the Deputy Town Comptroller/Director of Purchasing for the Town of Hempstead, New York.
“APWA thanks Representatives Garamendi and Calvert for reintroducing this legislation to extend permits for up to 10 years,” said American Public Works Association CEO Scott D. Grayson, CAE. “Permitting reform is important for our members; so important it’s a vital piece in our public policy priorities. The change would help public works professionals do their work in a more cost-effective way.”
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