Our nation's aging water infrastructure is in need of immediate improvement -- cities and states across the country are trying to cope with sewer overflows that often contain toxins and other pollutants, including microbial pathogens that threaten the public's health.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund is intended to help address that need by providing loans to improve our nation's water quality through water-infrastructure improvement projects. Specifically, this program helps local communities meet water quality standards, protects public health, and helps ensure continued progress in restoring the health and safety of America's waters by replacing old and decaying pipelines and other water infrastructure.

H.R. 1262, the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009, would fill the approximately $3.2 billion to $11.1 billion annual gap that exists between wastewater infrastructure needs and current funding through an investment of $13.8 billion in federal grants over five years. In addition, it would provide $150 million a year through 2014 to the Great Lakes Legacy Act, a program specifically designed to address sediment contamination in the Great Lakes. This legislation would also require timely notification of the public when sewer overflows occur.

On March 12, the House passed this important legislation by a vote of 317-101 (House roll call vote 123). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The Senate did not act on companion legislation in 2009.