NACWA expects ARPA-H20 legislation to advance water research

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) in the US expects the new ARPA-H20 legislation to advance clean water research.

The bipartisan legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives on 06 March. It is intended to form and fund a federal Advanced Research Projects Agency – Water.

NACWA noted that the new agency will fund drinking water and clean water systems, private and non-profit organisations, and academic research entities.

The support will be for the development of new approaches to treat, monitor and affordably deliver safe drinking water and clean water.

NACWA CEO Adam Krantz said: “The bipartisan introduction of ARPA-H20 marks Congress’s recognition that clean water is an essential part of America’s infrastructure system.

“I am certain that the technological innovations and cutting-edge partnerships that will form once this legislation is passed into law will help revolutionize how we think about our most fundamental natural resource – water.

“ARPA-H2O will help further advance the move toward clean water agencies becoming smart utilities that embrace the full array of sustainable, resource recovery initiatives.”

US Representatives John Katko and Dan Kildee proposed the legislation to ensure safe drinking water and effective wastewater treatment systems in Central New York and across the US.

ARPA-H2O is set to expand on local efforts from companies such as Xylem that develops new technologies for modern water infrastructure, protection against contaminants and sustainable water management.

Katko said: “The ARPA-H2O Act will establish an agency within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dedicated to developing innovative technology that improves water treatment, modernizes water management systems, and reduces the cost burden on local municipalities and rate payers.”

ARPA-H2O is supported by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), Water Environment Federation (WEF), The Water Research Foundation and WateReuse Association.