WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, with an 89-2 vote, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation to strengthen drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, foster economic growth, enhance the health and well-being of families across the nation, and address environmental justice. The bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (DWWIA), which contains key wins for Ohio’s water infrastructure that U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) helped secure, now heads to the House for consideration. Brown vows to fight for full funding of these programs once the bill is signed into law.
“I always hear from mayors and community leaders across Ohio about the struggles to afford expensive – but vital – renovations to outdated water and sewer systems,” said Brown. “We’re on the verge of delivering bold, historic wins for Ohio, with water infrastructure investments that will lead to cleaner, safer drinking water built with American products supporting American jobs.”
The bill includes provisions to:
Brown has been fighting to secure funding for programs that help communities, large and small, update critical water and sewer systems.
In 2018, Brown’s Water Resources Development Act was signed into law, authorizing more than $2 billion in funding that Brown worked to secure in order to help Ohio communities invest in clean water. The bill helps Ohio communities invest in water infrastructure and provide funds for schools to test for lead in their water systems. Brown also fought to make sure the bill included strong Buy America provisions to ensure that water infrastructure projects are completed with American parts and by American workers.
In 2016, Brown slammed Washington leadership for stripping Buy America rules from the final water infrastructure. Buy America provisions in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) would have permanently changed the law to require the use of American-made iron and steel products in infrastructure projects.
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