Rep. Pappas and Four Water Associations Meet

Feb. 24, 2023, Manchester Water Works

On 24 February, the Four Water Associations Executives, and senior leaders from NHDES met with Congressman Chris Pappas, US Representative for the 1st NH District and staff member Kari Thurman. The importance of the meeting was underscored by the Congressman’s role on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee of the US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The meeting was part of legislative outreach by the Four Water Associations (Granite State Rural Water, NH Municipal, NH Water Pollution Control, and NH Water Works Associations) at both the State and federal level.

Key discussion topics included ARPA and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, long term infrastructure challenges, potential impact of earmarks on established programs, the importance of private wells, fluoridation, PFAS and related technical and funding challenges, workforce development, and communications. The Congressman was particularly interested in how loan forgiveness helps Towns and Cities fund key infrastructure investments, how regional approaches enhance public water services, and how cooperating among educators, employers and government can address workforce challenges. He was also interested in how lead service line work, including inventories, is progressing.

Congressman Pappas is committed to supporting water needs across NH. He was appreciative of our work to present key water issues from a unified position and would like to continue to hear from us. The Four Water Associations look forward to building on the success and momentum of our meeting!

We wish to thank Dave Miller and Phil Croasdale of Manchester Water Works for hosting our gathering, and Congressman Pappas for fitting us into his schedule.

Pictured left to right:  Phil Croasdale, Tom O’Donovan, Natch Greyes, Brandon Kernen, Rep. Chris Pappas, Heidi Lauricella, Tracy Wood, Boyd Smith, David Miller (Kari Thurman taking photo).