Expected Funding for FY19: A Closer Look at Drinking Water
Both chambers of Congress have passed an appropriations package to keep the government operating through the end of the 2019 fiscal year. The package, which President Trump is expected to sign later today, contains 7 of the 12 annual appropriations bills, including the Interior-Environment measure which would provide $8.8 billion, which is $25 million above the FY2018 enacted level and $2.66 billion above the President’s budget request, according to a House Appropriations Committee summary of the conference report.
The State Revolving Funds are funded at the 2018 levels:
- Clean Water State Revolving Fund — $1.7 billion, which is equal to the 2018 enacted level and $300 million above the President’s budget request.
- Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund — $1.16 billion, which is equal to the 2018 enacted level and $300 million above the President’s budget request.
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Grants would be funded at $68 million, $5 million above the FY 2018 enacted level and $48 million above the President’s budget request.
The measure also would provide $65 million for grants authorized by the 2016 Water Resources Development Act (Public Law 114-322) to improve drinking water in small and disadvantaged communities, schools and child care centers, and areas with lead in their water.
The State and Tribal Assistance Grants, which include PWSS funding, received a bump in funding and will be funded at $3.6 billion, which is $42.9 million above the 2018 enacted level and $676 million above the President’s budget request. ASDWA will provide more detailed information once the bill is signed later today and the details are made publicly available.
