Sherrod Brown to re-introduce Clean Water Affordability Act
Zanesville Times Recorder — Ohio Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown announced this past week he will sponsor new legislation to help Ohio communities such as Zanesville deal with combined sewer overflow projects.
The Clean Water Affordability Act would help communities eliminate combined sewer overflows and pay for the renovations, which will improve water quality and keep rates affordable for residents.
The legislation would authorize $1.8 billion for five years for a grant program to help financially distressed communities update their aging infrastructure. The program would provide a 75-25 cost share for municipalities to use for planning, design and construction of treatment works to control combined and sanitary sewer overflows. The National Association of Clean Water Agencies, which represents the sewer districts, has endorsed the legislation.
It also would require the Environmental Protection Agency to tailor the mandates to individual community financial needs and extends loan repayments from 20 to 30 years.
