[미국] 2024년 물주간 개최…물 부문이 직면한 주요 입법, 규제 과제에 집중

PFAS·연방 물 인프라 자금 지원·회복력·사이버 보안 등 주제로 ‘물 정책 플라이 인’ 열려

국회의사당(Capitol Hill)에서 열리는 연례 ‘물 주간(Water Week)’ 플라이 인(Fly-In) 행사의 일환으로 전국의 협회 및 공공 수자원 부문 유틸리티를 대표하는 350명 이상의 물 부문 전문가 및 정책 전문가가 지난 9일 의회 사무실에 방문했다.

미국정수협회(National Association of Clean Water Agencies, NACWA), 물환경연맹(Water Environment Federation, WEF), 물연구재단(The Water Research Foundation, WRF) 및 물재이용협회(WateReuse Association)가 이끄는 대규모 단체는 △노후화된 물 인프라에 대한 연방 투자 증가의 필요성과 △PFAS(Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances) 규제로 인한 비용 상승에 대한 우려를 포함해 물 부문이 직면한 증가하는 문제를 해결하는 데 도움을 줄 것을 의회에 촉구했다.

의회 사무실에 전달될 정책 브리핑에서 이 단체들은 ‘인프라 투자 및 일자리에 관한 법률(Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, IIJA)’을 통한 최근의 물 투자를 칭찬하면서도, 이러한 진전을 바탕으로 전국의 크고 작은 도시와 농촌 지역 사회의 다음과 같은 점점 더 복잡해지는 물 문제를 해결할 수 있도록 돕기 위한 연방 정부의 강력하고 지속적인 약속의 중요성을 강조했다. 

-노후화된 인프라의 유지 및 업데이트, 운영 비용 상승, 공급망 문제 및 노동력 부족

-PFAS와 신규 오염 물질, 영양물질 관리를 포함한 수질 오염 문제 해결 및 규정 준수  

-기후 적응, 회복성 및 사이버 보안 조치 확보

물 주간의 주요 행사로 NACWA, WEF, WRF 및 WateReuse가 공동으로 주최하는 ‘국가 물 정책 플라이 인(National Water Policy Fly-In)’이 지난 9일 개최됐으며, 다양한 연방 기관의 연사와 의회 의원이 참석해 현재 물 우선 순위에 대해 논의했다.

물 주간과 관련된 다른 행사는 'WATEREUSE' 홈페이지에서 확인할 수 있다.

에이미 킬린(Aimee Killeen) 물환경연맹 회장은 “물 부문은 PFAS, 기후변화 회복력, 노후화된 인프라, 경제성, 순환 물 경제 등 중요하고 복잡한 문제에 대한 해결책을 찾고 있다”라며 “물 주간(Water Week)과 ‘국가 물 정책 플라이인(National Water Policy Fly-In)’은 물 전문가들에게 이러한 문제를 해결하는 데 도움이 되는 연방 정책에 영향을 미치고, 자금 지원할 수 있는 방법을 제공합니다. WEF는 물 부문의 목소리가 되기 위해 매년 DC에 오는 모든 물 전문가들의 열정과 헌신에 감사드린다”고 말했다. 

[원문보기] 

Water Week 2024 to Focus on Critical Legislative, Regulatory Challenges Facing the Water Sector|

Issues Including PFAS, Federal Water Infrastructure Funding, Resiliency, and Cybersecurity to Take Center Stage During Water Sector Fly-In

Over 350 water sector professionals and policy experts, representing associations and public water sector utilities from across the country, will take part in Congressional office visits this week as part of the annual “Water Week” Fly-In on Capitol Hill.  

A large contingent of groups, led by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), The Water Research Foundation (WRF), and the WateReuse Association, call on Congress to help address the growing challenges facing the water sector – including the need for increased federal investment in aging water infrastructure and concern over rising costs from Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) regulations.

In a policy brief that will be delivered to Congressional offices, the groups lauded recent water investments through the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) but highlighted the critical importance of a strong, sustained commitment from the federal government to build on this progress and help communities all across the nation – large and small, urban and rural – meet a host of increasingly complex water challenges related to:

Maintaining and updating aging infrastructure, rising operational costs, supply chain issues, and labor shortages;

-Tackling water contamination and compliance with regulations, including those for PFAS, new pollutants, and nutrient management; and

-Securing climate adaptation, resilience, and cybersecurity measures.

-The anchor event of Water Week is the National Water Policy Fly-In, jointly hosted by NACWA, WEF, WRF and WateReuse, and will feature speakers from various federal agencies and Members of Congress discussing current water priorities. 

Other events related to Water Week can be viewed here.

Adam Krantz, CEO, National Association of Clean Water Agencies said: “Water Week is a critical time for the clean water utility sector to bring our message to Washington. The challenges we face as a sector are many, and while we are appreciative of the recent increased funding we have received from Congress and the Administration, more is needed. Public clean water utilities are anchor institutions in their communities, and we need Congress to support us in that critical role. We look forward to meeting with Members of Congress to advocate for our priorities.”

Aimee Killeen, President, Water Environment Federation said: “The water sector is finding solutions to many important and complex challenges, such as PFAS, climate change resilience, aging infrastructure, affordability, and the circular water economy. Water Week and the National Water Policy Fly-In give water professionals an avenue to impact federal policies and funding that help the sector address those challenges. WEF is grateful for the passion and dedication of all the water professionals who come to DC each year to be the voice of the water sector.”

Peter Grevatt, CEO, The Water Research Foundation said: “The Water Research Foundation is excited to join with our partners in welcoming our subscribers and water sector leaders to Washington to advocate for continued robust funding for water research to support smart policy and regulatory decisions that address the growing challenges we face.”

Patricia L. Sinicropi, JD, Executive Director of the WaterReuse Association said: “WateReuse Association welcomes our members and partners to the nation’s capital to help communicate the value of water recycling for resilient and sustainable cities, industries, farms, and ecosystems. Communities from East to West are planning for the future of water recycling, and WateReuse is dedicated to advancing the funding and policies that make it possible.”

[출처 = WATEREUSE(https://watereuse.org/water-week-2024/) / 2024년 4월 8일]