Some industry groups are concerned the Environmental Protection Agency’s interpretation of the fiscal 2010 law appropriating funds for the drinking- and clean-water State Revolving Loan Fund programs could jeopardize attempts to pass a long-awaited five-year SRF reauthorization bill in the Senate.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved a five-year reauthorization bill in May 2009. The bill, known as the Water Infrastructure Financing Act of 2009, would authorize $20 billion through 2014 for the clean-water SRF and $15 billion for the drinking-water SRF. In March 2009, the House authorized $13.8 billion for the clean-water SRF over five years.