WEF Highlights

Water, wastewater, and stormwater bills have been increasing above general price inflation and household income growth rates for decades. Affordability, therefore, has become an increasingly important issue, heightening focus on utility rate design, customer service policies, and customer assistance programs. It’s time to revisit traditional methods of measuring household affordability and assessing community financial capability. […]

In October, the U.S. Senate passed the biennial Water Resources Development Act. The bi-partisan legislation includes major provisions that benefit drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure and policy. The U.S. House of Representatives also passed a version of the bill, known as America’s Water Infrastructure Act (S. 3021), in September. The Water Environment Federation (WEF; […]

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) has released the fourth edition of Financing and Charges for Wastewater Systems, Manual of Practice 27. The guidebook provides an overview of current industry practices to consider when establishing rates and charges for wastewater collection and treatment systems. The publication reflects changes that have occurred in the water […]

On Jan. 11, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) and several other water sector organizations sent a letter to U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (R–Fla.) in support of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2017 (H.R. 4492). Mast and a bipartisan group of representatives introduced the bill in November. The bill has […]

The U.S. Congress has passed a final $1.5 trillion tax package that has been signed into law by President Trump. On Dec. 6, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) joined other water sector organizations in sending a letter to congressional leaders about tax reform legislation. In the letter, the organizations expressed concerns about the […]

Municipal bonds help finance water and wastewater infrastructure projects. While a U.S. House of Representatives bill maintains tax-exempt status for municipal-issued bonds for water and wastewater infrastructure projects, Section 3602 of the bill would repeal the ability to advance refund municipal bonds. On Nov. 8, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) joined other water […]

During WEFTEC 2017, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.), U.S. Water Alliance (Washington, D.C.), and National Association of Clean Water Agencies (Washington, D.C.) revealed a new, collaborative approach to reduce nutrient pollution in U.S. waterways. Nutrient overload in waterways from excess nitrogen and phosphorus threatens drinking water quality, economic health, and recreation. The paper, […]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding a series of informational sessions across the nation to educate the public about the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). WIFIA establishes a new financing mechanism to accelerate investment in our nation’s water infrastructure. The program will provide loans for up to 49% of eligible costs […]