Nearly 35 years after the passage of the Clean Water Act, the majority of states are facing clean water infrastructure needs far greater than available funding, according to a report released today by Food & Water Watch. Federal support for water pipes and treatment plants has declined from a high of approximately $2 billion in 1991 to slightly more than $1 billion in 2007 – a 66 percent decrease when adjusted for inflation.
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The report, "Clear Waters: Why America Needs a Clean Water Trust Fund," is an analysis of state clean water needs and available funding through the primary federal program for clean water, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, or SRF. Tied to the contentious congressional appropriations process, the federal government contribution to total clean water spending has shrunk dramatically, from 78 percent in 1978 to just 3 percent today, forcing states to make tough choices among critical water projects.
+ Full Report (PDF; 1.8 MB)
+ Individual state analyses (PDFs)