ASDWA and Others Testify for the Senate on SDWA50

On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, former ASDWA President and current Drinking Water Administrator for the State of Kansas Cathy Tucker-Vogel testified for the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on behalf of ASDWA for the 50th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Cathy, along with President Buu Nygren of the Navajo Nation and former EPA Office of Water Assistant Administrator Radhika Fox, spoke about the success of SDWA and provided suggestions for Congress to preserve SDWA for the next 50 years and beyond.

From Cathy’s perspective, the steps for Congress to take to eliminate the burden on state drinking water programs include: providing nationwide waivers for compliance with Build America, Buy America (BABA); American Iron and Steel (AIS), and Davis-Bacon requirements for public water supply systems serving populations less than 10,000; fully funding the base SRF capitalization grants; funding Congressionally Directed spending from a source other than the SRF capitalization grant; and increasing the annual PWSS grant appropriation from $112,000,000 to $200,000,000 annually.

Link to the full hearing and written testimony: Committee Business Meeting and Hearing Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act – Hearings – U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works