NASSCO is gearing up for its annual Washington, D.C., Fly-In scheduled for May 6, 2026, and invites all members in good standing to participate.
NASSCO plans to continue to build awareness of trenchless technology features and benefits among elected officials from across the county, under the leadership of Government Relations Consultant Sherry Dickerson, who serves as co-chair of NASSCO’s Government Relations Committee.
Key recommendations to Congress include:
- Fully fund drinking water, wastewater and stormwater pipeline infrastructure
- Protect tax-exempt municipal bonds
- Strengthen asset management requirement and funding
- Require certified inspectors and standardized inspection methods
While NASSCO recommendations begin with funding, the key to ensuring funds are spent appropriately is the need for proper asset management and inspection to make sure every dollar is used as efficiently as possible. Addressing assets with the highest likelihood and corresponding consequence of failure can save communities money and — most importantly — serve communities well.
While awareness is growing, there is much work still to be done. The American Society of Civil Engineers 2025 Infrastructure Report Card awarded grades of D plus for wastewater infrastructure and D for stormwater infrastructure, both unchanged since the 2021 Report Card.
Our nation’s underground water infrastructure is not seen, yet it is the economic and public health backbone and foundation of our country. The public only recognizes this when water does not flow from the tap, waste does not flush down the toilet, stormwater floods neighborhoods, or our roadways are not passable due to pipe failures. This critical pipeline system under our feet ensures health, safety and economic prosperity for all of us.
While Congress has made significant movement in both legislation and funding to address our nation’s water infrastructure and hundreds of projects continue to move forward, both small and large communities are still struggling to keep pace with replacing or repairing aging and degrading water, wastewater and stormwater pipe systems. With increasing incidents of these failing systems, the issue of public health and safety comes into play, and consumers and businesses are not receiving the reliable and high-quality service that utilities strive to provide.
The need to replace or repair water infrastructure will take time and continued federal support, particularly for small and rural communities. NASSCO recommendations to federal policymakers will make meaningful headway towards improving the nation’s wastewater and stormwater collections and conveyance networks.
Please join us in Washington, D.C., on May 6. NASSCO will provide you with all the tools and guidance you need to have efficient and effective meetings with elected officials and their staff. The event will kick off with a dinner for all participants the evening of Tuesday, May 5, when we will review logistics and make sure everyone feels comfortable and ready for a busy day to follow. NASSCO will assign teams, composed of new and seasoned participants from mutual states or regions, for a full and very busy day of meetings on Wednesday. Participants will then depart on Thursday.
To learn more and to register, please visit nassco.org/events.