Interest in public-private partnerships (P3s) has gained more traction with the proposed 2016 Federal budget. In addition to the already announced EPA Water Finance Center, click here learn more about the EPA’s Water Finance Center, the proposed budget includes Qualified Private Infrastructure Bonds (QPIBs). These bonds would offer a low-cost financing tool intended to spur private participation in building water and wastewater infrastructure. If approved, the intended goal would be to allow P3s, including transactions involving long-term leases and management contracts, to take advantage of the benefits of municipal bonds.[1] QPIBs closely resemble an already existing bond program, Private Activity […]

The ever-reaching drought already has its grasp on a significant portion on the western United States, and not to be excluded is the City of Lights, which brings approximately 40 million tourists annually. Las Vegas and its 2 million inhabitants get almost all of its drinking water from Lake Mead, along with 38 million other residents across seven southwestern states. Low precipitation and steadily decreasing water levels are starting to concern the federal water managers. As a result of future water level projections, the Bureau of Reclamation is considering water supply cuts to parts of Nevada, as well as Arizona. […]

In an executive order directed at the CA State Water Resources Control Board, Governor Jerry Brown ordered a mandatory water use reduction for the first time in California’s history. The order, declared on April 1st, authorizes the State Board to impose a 25% reduction on the state’s 400 local water supply agencies, which serve 90% of California residents.  Now a month into the order, Governor Brown is calling for more restrictions and more accountability by proposing $10,000 fines for residents and businesses that waste the most water. The mandatory – 25% – reduction comes more than a year after Brown […]