Last week, the Water Quality Association (WQA) concluded a two-day visit to Capitol Hill to call attention to water-related issues and regulations that impact the water treatment industry. WQA teamed up with National Groundwater Association and Irrigation Association for a Water Resources Congressional Summit before all three groups held separate meetings at Congressional offices.
The three groups met for a half-day of presentations from a variety of experts on transportation, tax reform and a possible infrastructure bill. Former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt (who heads the Gephardt Government Affairs Group, which consults with WQA) talked about the mood in Washington and what he believes will shape the legislative agenda in the coming year.
Members of WQA joined with staff for approximately 50 visits to Senate and House offices, meeting either with staff or the legislators, themselves, with a message to reach out to WQA when reviewing legislation for drinking water. They also emphasized that the Association stands ready to help officials and the public find certified products and certified water treatment professionals across the country.
The nation’s leading water organizations, representing the full spectrum of water issues, water research fields, utilities and consumers from every part of the country, join forces in Washington, DC this month for Water Week 2017. During the week of March 19 – 25, hundreds of water, wastewater and stormwater professionals, thought leaders, stakeholders and grass roots supporters will gather and advocate with one voice for national policies that advance clean, safe, affordable and sustainable water for all Americans.
Among the highlight events for the Week will be the National Water Policy Fly-in (March 21-22), where water organization representatives will meet with members of Congress and federal regulators to discuss crucial water-related public affairs issues, and the Rally for Water (March 22), a grassroots show of unity on the US Capitol grounds. Key congressional members will attend and speak.
The goal of Water Week is to strengthen the partnership between the federal government and the water sector, emphasize the importance of investment in water infrastructure and research, continue to inform state and national policymakers about crucial water-related issues—including high-impact economic development and job creation, public health and protection, conservation and sustainability to name a few—and to inspire them to act.
Access to clean, safe, reliable water is a vital need that touches every American, without exception, every day. With a new presidential administration and political environment, new opportunities now exist to advance vital water initiatives, issues and goals. Now more than ever, it is critical to elevate water as a national priority, and to aggressively promote and protect clean water nationally.