Problems in the Environmental Protection Agencys Safe Drinking Water Program

##Key Points

Funding for the Safe Drinking Water Program has remained constant, with no increase in General Fund appropriations or federal grant awards. Program cash fees have not been raised since 2007, despite rising costs for salaries, testing equipment, vehicles, and lease space. The static funding and rising expenses have created a financial shortfall, threatening the program's ability to maintain current staffing and service levels. Without intervention, projections indicate that the program will face severe staff and service level reductions, undermining its effectiveness in ensuring safe drinking water. The report emphasizes the need for a financial strategy that may include increasing program fees, seeking additional funding sources, or implementing cost-saving measures to bridge the gap between revenue and expenses. ##Conclusion The Safe Drinking Water Program's sustainability is at risk due to an unsustainable financial model. Addressing this challenge requires immediate and strategic actions to secure additional funding and manage operational costs effectively, ensuring the program's ability to fulfill its critical mission of providing safe drinking water.