Washington D.C. — U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), and U.S. Representative Michael Waltz (R-FL) introduced S. 3211, the Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act. The legislation would nearly triple Florida’s current Clean Water State Revolving Fund allotment each year and enable the state to finance billions of dollars in new clean water infrastructure over the next decade without increasing federal spending.
The updated formula in the bill would incorporate new data elements including Clean Water Needs Survey (CWNS) data, decennial Census population counts, and EPA Water Quality Impairment Component Ratios. Additionally, rather than maintaining an old, outdated funding formula, the bill requires EPA to regularly update allotments to ensure that changing needs around the nation are met.
“I am proud to join Senator Rick Scott and Congressman Michael Waltz in introducing the Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act,” Rubio said. “This legislation would nearly triple Florida’s current Clean Water State Revolving Fund allotment each year, enabling more than $730 million in new funds per decade for clean water infrastructure. Protecting and restoring water quality in Florida’s aquifers, wetlands, and coastal waters is an economic imperative, and this needed reform will help deliver critical environmental benefits for current and future generations of Floridians to enjoy.”
“Protecting Florida’s waterways is vital to the health of our families and environment. I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Rubio and Congressman Waltz to make sure our communities have the resources they need to improve water quality so Florida families can count on a clean water supply and enjoy the beautiful natural resources that make Florida great,” Scott said.
“As a lifelong Floridian, one of my first goals when I came to office was to improve our state’s water quality. I quickly discovered Florida has been shortchanged by the outdated Clean Water State Revolving Fund,” Waltz said. “In order to keep our water clean, every dollar matters. By fixing this formula, we can ensure Florida gets fair funding to address the water demands of our Atlantic Coast, the Indian River Lagoon and our rivers and springs.”