President’s Message

Waiting for a Cash Windfall is a Mistake

There is good news and progress in UCANE’s ongoing efforts to advocate for additional funding for water and sewer infrastructure projects. In Washington, after years of inaction, momentum is growing to pass a bipartisan infrastructure bill. The current package includes the 2021 Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, which calls for $35 billion in new investment in water infrastructure, primarily through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs. These numbers represent a doubling of funding compared to recent funding allocations. In addition, separate program funding for lead remediation and funding to address PFAS contamination is included. If passed, it would represent the largest investment in clean water infrastructure in history.

At the state level, our elected officials are currently considering ways to spend close to $5 billion in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Governor Baker has recommended $400 million for water infrastructure projects. While the Legislature has not yet recommended a funding level, ARPA specifically states that funds should be expended on projects that improve access to clean drinking water, and improve wastewater and stormwater infrastructure systems. There is unanimous recognition that after years of neglect, we must provide additional investment for our aging pipes and treatment plants.

The flip side of these positive developments is that municipalities and awarding authorities are being tempted to delay much-needed projects until this potential windfall of cash is received. To continue to “kick the can” down the road on these critical projects would be short-sighted. As with everything in Washington, there is no guarantee that an infrastructure bill will pass. And the State Legislature has already indicated that they want to take time to deliberate and determine priorities and funding levels for the ARPA funds. While we appreciate the need to be fiscally prudent and not rush to spend taxpayer dollars, there should be little debate over the urgency needed to address the $18 billion to $21 billion deficit in water infrastructure funding in Massachusetts over the next 20 years. We are already seeing municipalities take a “wait and see” approach.

This year’s MassDEP Intended Use Plan (IUP) list of approved water infrastructure projects included $691 million in new work. However, over $116 million of this work did not receive local approval and will not come out to bid this year. Many of these projects are long overdue or under court order to be completed, and delays will only serve to exacerbate costs. We need to make sure that municipalities and awarding authorities are not penalized for being proactive and addressing their infrastructure needs now, and not waiting until, if and when, federal monies become available. Any additional funds that are made available in the coming year should not just benefit future projects, but also be used to ease the taxpayer burden for those municipalities who are rightfully moving forward with projects this year.

UCANE members stand ready, willing, and able to complete these vital infrastructure projects, and we are encouraged that additional funds may indeed be on the way. However, there is an urgency for our elected leaders to work towards a plan that allows municipalities and contractors to properly plan for future needs. Otherwise, our communities will be left holding on to a lottery ticket that they are never able to

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