Review of Allotment of CWSRF Report

This Report to Congress presents the results of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review of the current CWSRF allotment and its adequacy to address the water quality needs of eligible states, District of Columbia, and U.S. territories (collectively referred to as States). The 1987 Water Quality Act established the original allotment based on population, needs, and other factors that are complex and difficult to discern. Most States do not currently receive appropriated funds in proportion to their reported needs or population, which demonstrates the inadequacy of the current allotment. In chapter 3 the EPA provides possible options to update the allotment in the future. The report uses CWNS 2012 needs, 2010 resident population, water quality impairment component ratio, and the ratio of CWSRF assistance to federal capitalization to determine the allotments for all states. The report then provides several options, and several potential allotment formulas (such that needs are at least 50 percent of the formula, population is at least 30 percent, and the minimum allotment for states are 0.5 percent). The current allotment adequately reflects the water quality needs for only 14 States. To more adequately reflect changes over time, EPA recommends that Congress update the allotment on a regular schedule.