Federally Supported Projects and Programs for Wastewater, Drinking Water, and Water Supply Infrastructure

Abstract

For decades, Congress has authorized and modified federal programs to help communities address water supply and water infrastructure needs, including both wastewater and drinking water. Departments and agencies that administer this assistance include the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Commerces Economic Development Administration (EDA). These agencies administer these programs in multiple ways. In terms of funding mechanisms, projects developed or assisted by Reclamation and USACE are often funded through direct, individual project authorizations from Congress. In contrast, the other agencies administer programs with standing authorizations that establish eligibility criteria rather than identify specific projects. A key practical difference is that with the individual project authorizations, there is no predictable assistance or even guarantee of funding after a project is authorized, because funding must be secured each year in the congressional appropriations process. The programs, on the other hand, have generally received some level of annual appropriations and have set program criteria and processes by which eligible parties can seek funding. In terms of scope and mission, the primary responsibilities of the federal agencies discussed in this report cover a wide range. For example, EPAs authorities relate to protecting public health and the environment. The EDA and HUD focus on community and economic development. Likewise, the specific programs differ in several respects. Some are national in scope (those of USDA, EPA, and EDA, for example), while others are regionally focused (Reclamations programs and projects).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 30, 2020
Accession Number
AD1172041

Entities

People

  • Anna E. Normand
  • Charles V. Stern
  • Elena H. Humphreys
  • Jonathan L. Ramseur
  • Julie M. Lawhorn
  • Megan Stubbs
  • Tadlock Cowan

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Congress
  • Economic Development
  • Environment
  • Environmental Protection
  • Flood Control
  • Governments
  • Groundwater
  • Law
  • Local Governments
  • Money
  • National Governments
  • Natural Resources
  • Public Health
  • United States Government
  • Water Conservation
  • Water Resources
  • Water Supplies

Readers

  • Defense Financial Management and Audit.
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Public Financial Management and Budgeting