FEDERALhearing transcript

Senate Hearing on Water Affordability and Small System Assistance

Original title: WATER AFFORDABILITY AND SMALL SYSTEM ASSISTANCE

January 1, 2023

water infrastructure utility affordability rural development public health environmental policy

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing serves as a formal record of testimony regarding federal infrastructure investment needs, which directly influences future legislative priorities and funding allocations for national water system upgrades.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Small water system operators

These entities face challenges regarding aging infrastructure and the financial capacity to maintain safe water supplies.

Water utility customers

Households are impacted by rising water costs and potential service interruptions due to infrastructure failure.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2023.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The Senate Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife held a hearing on May 31, 2023, to discuss the challenges of rising water costs and the infrastructure needs of s across the United States. Witnesses and committee members examined how aging pipes, drought, and climate change impact the reliability and affordability of water for American families.

Key Facts

The hearing took place on May 31, 2023, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
The session focused on the intersection of water affordability and the operational challenges faced by small water systems.
Witnesses provided testimony on aging infrastructure, drought impacts, and the financial burden of water bills on households.
The subcommittee received formal written statements from the Community Water Center, the City of Santa Cruz Water Department, and the Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems.
The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies submitted a letter for the record regarding water policy.
The EPA submitted a memorandum regarding analytical chemistry related to pesticide programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?

The hearing was held to examine the current state of water affordability and the specific infrastructure assistance needs of s in the U.S.

Who testified at the hearing?

Witnesses included Kyle Jones from the Community Water Center, Rosemary Menard from the City of Santa Cruz Water Department, and Mark Pepper from the Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems.

Why It Matters

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Focus on Small System Assistance

The subcommittee is explicitly linking water affordability to the specific operational constraints of small, rural water systems.

Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems Community Water Center

Connected Entities

organizationU.S. Environmental Protection Agency“Provided a memorandum regarding analytical chemistry”Map →

personAlex Padilla“Chairman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife”Map →

personMark Pepper“Executive Director, Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems”Map →

personCynthia M. Lummis“Ranking Member of the Subcommittee”Map →

personRosemary Menard“Water Director, City of Santa Cruz Water Department”Map →

personKyle Jones“Policy and Legal Director, Community Water Center”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance60
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy20
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

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