Last week, congressional lawmakers introduced bipartisan legislation in both chambers on Capitol Hill to provide funds for states to provide low-cost loans to improve water and sewer infrastructure.

The legislation essentially combines revolving funds with the Water Infrastructure and Innovation Act, or WIFIA. The bills would authorize $200 million annually over five years to support state revolving fund projects.

From Route Fifty: 

“We have a more than $500 billion shortfall for water infrastructure funding in this country. This is a national emergency,” said Sen. John Boozman, an Arkansas Republican and the Senate bill’s lead sponsor.

“This legislation is an innovative approach to helping communities of all sizes, in every state secure loans so they can improve their crumbling infrastructure,” he added.

Boozman chairs the Environment and Public Works subcommittee on fisheries, water and wildlife. Sens. Cory Booker, Jim Inhofe, and Dianne Feinstein are cosponsors.  Reps. John Katko and Earl Blumenauer sponsor the House bill.