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S. Rept. 115-87 1 (2017-05-25)

handle is hein.congrecreports/crptxaajq0001 and id is 1 raw text is: AUTHENTICATEO U.S. GOVERNMENT INFORMATION Gp Calendar No. 109 115TH CONGRESS REPORT 1st Session SENATE 115-87 WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FLEXIBILITY ACT MAY 25, 2017.-Ordered to be printed Mr. BARRASSO, from the Committee on Environment and Public Works, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 692] [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was referred the bill (S. 692) to provide for integrated plan permits, to establish the Office of Municipal Ombudsman, to promote green in- frastructure, and to require the revision of financial capability guidance, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass. GENERAL STATEMENT AND BACKGROUND In 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an integrated permitting and planning policy to address the need for municipalities to undertake updated wastewater and stormwater control measures under the Clean Water Act. EPA established this policy in response to the challenges and cost implications munici- palities are facing to address water quality and infrastructure prob- lems. Many state and local governments face difficult economic challenges with limited resources and financial capability to meet the Clean Water Act requirements related to stormwater and wastewater. On average, the U.S. Conference of Mayors finds that municipalities spend between 6 to 7 cents of every tax dollar on water and sewer systems, making water infrastructure the third- largest expense for cities behind education and emergency per- sonnel. S. 692 would address these issues by requiring EPA to allow mu- nicipalities to develop plans that integrate multiple Clean Water 69-010