MWWCA supports the concept of federal government funding and assistance to improve security at key structures, such as: wastewater treatment plant grounds, extremely hazardous substance storage and operations facilities, entrances for main interceptors/large storm sewers near large or critical government/industrial sites, and pipe lines and pump stations on critical transportation routes.
 

MWWCA opposes new Clean Water Act authority for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require security measures via new regulations or by permit. We believe that security is a governmental, not environmental, issue. Local and state governments already have a good working relationship with the federal government to provide security at public installations, and further red tape and unfunded mandates are unnecessary.
 

MWWCA endorses additional funding and support for existing programs provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that will help provide vulnerability and risk assessments, personnel training and equipment to municipal /public wastewater treatment facilities.
 

MWWCA is concerned that Clean Water State Revolving Loan funding (CWSRLF) necessary to improve water quality and an aging wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure may be drawn away by EPA or Homeland Security Office required security measures at low risk facilities. Congress should advise federal and state CWSRLF administrators that federal assistance for improved/ enhanced security at high to moderate risk facilities is only one critical need, and that it must be weighed along with, not prioritized over, existing local government needs, such as: storm water separation/ treatment, plant automation and modernization, and pipe line/ wastewater collection systems repair and replacement.