This week, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on “Modernizing America’s Water Resource Management and Water Infrastructure.” This action ensures Federal coordination on water policy is standard practice now and into the future by formally establishing a Water Subcabinet of senior Federal agency officials to facilitate efficient and effective management and modernization of our water supplies and systems while also eliminating duplication between agencies.

The new, formalized Water Subcabinet will be co-chaired by Interior Secretary Bernhardt and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler, and will include senior officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy, and the Department of the Army (Civil Works).

Under the Executive Order, the Water Subcabinet will:

• Promote effective and efficient water resources management by reducing duplication between Federal agencies developing water policy;
• Develop a national water strategy to ensure the reliability of our water supplies, water quality, water systems, and water forecasting;
• Protect taxpayer investments and improve water infrastructure planning by promoting integrated planning and coordination for drinking water, wastewater, water reuse, water storage and delivery, and water resource management; and
• Support and enhance workforce development to recruit, train, and retain water sector professionals.

You can read the entire press release here.