Jeff Bingaman: “I rise to discuss an important issue which relates to helping meet the needs of certain small, semirural communities.…”

“I rise to discuss an important issue which relates to helping meet the needs of certain small, semirural communities. These are communities that are slightly too large to qualify for existing Federal rural water grants for construction of wastewater facilities, but are too small, too poor, and unable to finance these projects through loans or other alternative financing mechanisms. I am particularly concerned about unincorporated communities near urban centers which face a unique combination of environmental, financial, and governmental problems. Households in these areas traditionally have relied on septic systems to meet sewage needs. With urban growth these communities have expanded. Septic systems which once were adequate can no longer accommodate the increasing density. Yet these communities lack the tax base and governmental structure needed to fund needed infrastructure improvements. They face high system costs per household due to their relatively low density, a high percentage of residents with lower incomes, and lack of access to grant programs intended for very small, rural communities.”