美水資金告急

隨著美國《基礎建設投資與就業法》（Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, IIJA）針對水務基礎建設所提供的五年期補充資金將於今年9月30日到期，美國地方政府、水務公用事業及相關產業組織正積極向國會施壓，要求重新授權核心水資源計畫，並在2027會計年度（FY2027）確保充足預算，以避免全國供水、污水及雨水排放系統面臨嚴重的「資金斷崖」（funding cliff）。

With supplemental water infrastructure funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) set to expire on September 30, local governments and water sector stakeholders are calling on Congress to reauthorize key programs and maintain robust funding levels in fiscal year 2027.

IIJA自2021年起共投入500億美元支持全美水務基礎建設，資金主要透過《清潔水州循環基金》（Clean Water State Revolving Fund, CWSRF）及《飲用水州循環基金》（Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, DWSRF）發放，同時涵蓋鉛製供水管線汰換、全氟及多氟烷基物質（PFAS）污染整治，以及其他新興污染物治理計畫。

The 2021 IIJA allocated $50 billion over five years to strengthen U.S. water infrastructure through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), lead service line replacement initiatives, and programs addressing PFAS and other emerging contaminants.

National League of Cities呼籲國會維持IIJA原有授權規模，持續為清潔水與飲用水循環基金各提供58.5億美元預算，並延續PFAS治理、鉛管更換及技術援助等補助方案。該組織指出，目前相關委員會正著手起草法案，未來數月將成為決定美國水務投資方向的關鍵窗口。

The National League of Cities is urging lawmakers to preserve the IIJA's authorized funding levels, including $5.85 billion annually for both the CWSRF and DWSRF programs. The organization is also advocating for the continuation of grant and technical assistance programs supporting PFAS remediation, lead pipe replacement, and other essential water infrastructure projects.

然而，在國會尚未提出新一輪水務授權法案之際，總統Donald Trump提出的FY2027預算案，卻建議大幅削減聯邦水務投資。其中，清潔水與飲用水循環基金預算將從FY2026的27億美元驟降至3.05億美元；《水基礎建設融資與創新法》（Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, WIFIA）預算亦將減少6,460萬美元，降至800萬美元。

WIFIA長期提供低成本融資，協助地方政府因應新興污染物、鉛污染、水資源韌性建設、資安防護、水回收利用及弱勢社區供水公平等挑戰，其預算縮減引發地方政府高度憂慮。

Despite the approaching deadline, Congress has yet to introduce comprehensive legislation to extend major Environmental Protection Agency water programs scheduled to expire at the end of September.

Compounding concerns, President Donald Trump's proposed FY2027 budget would significantly reduce federal water infrastructure support. The proposal would cut combined funding for the Clean Water and Drinking Water revolving funds from $2.7 billion to $305 million, while reducing appropriations for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program from $72.6 million to $8 million.

根據United States Environmental Protection Agency近年發布的評估報告，美國未來20年污水與雨水系統更新需求高達6,300億美元，飲用水系統則需投入6,250億美元，以維持基礎設施正常運作並符合聯邦法規要求。

According to recent assessments by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the United States will require approximately $630 billion for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure and $625 billion for drinking water systems over the next two decades to maintain aging assets and comply with federal regulations.

此外，水務系統還須同時面對氣候變遷、網路安全威脅、新興污染物治理及水價可負擔性等多重挑戰。全國清潔水機構協會（National Association of Clean Water Agencies）指出，近期Potomac River污水外洩事件，凸顯美國老舊水務基礎設施已接近臨界點，若缺乏穩定資金支持，未來類似事件恐將更加頻繁。

Water sector advocates argue that the nation is approaching a critical inflection point. Aging infrastructure, emerging contaminants such as PFAS, cybersecurity threats, climate-related risks, and affordability concerns are placing increasing pressure on local utilities and governments.

目前，美國參議院環境與公共工程委員會（Senate Environment and Public Works Committee）被視為最有可能率先提出水務授權法案的單位。另一方面，國會也正在研議新版《水資源發展法》（Water Resources Development Act, WRDA），該法案涵蓋防洪、航運、港口維護及環境修復等項目，外界認為其可能成為推動水務基礎建設再授權的重要載體。

Congress is also working on a new version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), a bipartisan package traditionally used to authorize projects related to flood control, navigation, environmental restoration, and port maintenance. Stakeholders believe the legislation could provide a vehicle for broader water infrastructure reauthorization efforts.

超過數十個地方政府與水務產業組織已聯合致函國會，強調穩定的供水系統不僅攸關公共衛生，更是維持產業競爭力與地方經濟發展的關鍵基礎設施。隨著聯邦補充資金即將到期，美國水務投資政策正站在十字路口，其後續發展將直接影響未來數十年的供水安全、污染治理能力與基礎建設韌性。

Municipal organizations and industry groups have emphasized that reliable water infrastructure is fundamental not only to public health and environmental protection but also to economic competitiveness and community resilience. As the IIJA funding window closes, decisions made in Washington over the coming months will play a defining role in shaping the future of America's water systems.