APWA, Coalition Hold Congressional Briefing on State Revolving Funds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington D.C.—The American Public Works Association today joined national partners and federal stakeholders in hosting a congressional briefing focused on the critical role of the Clean Water and Drinking Water state revolving funds (SRFs).

With the U.S. facing more than $3.4 trillion in projected water infrastructure needs over the next 20 years, the briefing highlighted how SRF funding enables cities, counties, and utilities to plan, construct, and maintain drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems essential to public health and community resilience.

“Public works professionals are delivering the systems that provide safe drinking water, protect the environment, and ensure communities function every day,” said APWA CEO Scott D. Grayson, CAE. “With this briefing, APWA and our partners are making clear to Congress that SRF funding directly supports the people who are designing, operating, and maintaining critical infrastructure.”

Panelists represented all sectors involved in the water infrastructure financing: from the state-level authorities that distribute funding, to the local governments and utilities that utilize this funding to support their communities, to contractors and engineers delivering the projects supported by these programs.

SRFs remain one of the most effective federal-to-local infrastructure programs in the country, especially for small, rural, and disadvantaged communities. SRF financing routinely reduces the cost of borrowing – often by more than 50 percent – saving communities nearly $1 billion in 2023 alone.

Every $1 million invested in water infrastructure creates more than 10 jobs and delivers:

• $837,000 in wages
• $1.4 million in GDP, and
• $2.5 million in economic output

In 2025 alone, combined federal, state, and local water investments totaling $81 billion supported:

• 858,000 jobs
• $68 billion in wages
• $112 billion in GDP, and
• $205 billion in total economic output

“SRFs are more than just grants and loans, they power economic growth and strengthen the foundation of public health,” said APWA President Vic Bianes, P.E. “APWA is proud to help bring federal leaders together to elevate this message and reinforce the urgency for long-term, stable SRF reauthorization.”

APWA will continue to advocate for these SRFs to ensure communities have the financial tools needed to upgrade aging systems, protect public health, and build future-ready water infrastructure.

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Other organizations involved in today’s panel discussion:

U.S. Water Alliance
Water Environment Federation
National Utility Contractors Association
National Association of Clean Water Agencies
Clean Water Construction Coalition
National Association of Counties
Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturing Association
Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies
American Society of Civil Engineers
National Council of State Legislators
American Council of Engineering Companies
WateReuse
National League of Cities
California Association of Sewer Agencies
American Water Works Association
U.S. Conference of Mayors
National Water Resources Association
Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities