Water bonds

In rural areas, "even modest rate increases can force low-income households to choose between water service and other basic necessities," Matt Odermann from the National Rural Water Association told senators Wednesday.

The Texas city, which is a regional water supplier, is turning to several sources to boost dwindling water supplies amid an ongoing drought.

Attorneys and lawmakers are working through questions from clients and water authorities about finalized drinking water rules by the EPA regarding "forever chemicals."

The state's Local Government Commission approved the borrowing Tuesday.

Credit pressures are expected to persist for municipal bond issuers facing water scarcity and increasing costs for projects to produce new supply.

The larger story could be that some of the larger issuers are asking water lobbyists and lawmakers to push the EPA because of worries the administration may tamper with or even eliminate the program, said a WIFIA expert.

Bond issuers in the water sector are concerned about a reduction in WIFIA loan closings as some point to competition from municipal bonds as a cause for a decline in their popularity.

Moody's cited narrowing financial flexibility and declining debt service.

After terminating the project in September, the council approved an initial deal with a new contractor team to develop design and construction options.

The Florida county is in the midst of executing a $9 billion capital improvement plan.

The Texas city could revisit plans for a desalination project to boost its dwindling water supply with the city council scheduled to consider it next week.

Concerns over the Texas city's future water supply after a desalination project was terminated, led to negative rating outlooks from Fitch and S&P.

Municipal water agencies are appealing to the Environmental Protection Agency about a slowdown in the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan program which along with bond sales, funds improvements to water and sewer infrastructure.

Illinois' Grand Prairie Water Commission went to market Monday in a debut deal as it builds infrastrcture linking the Joliet area with Chicago's water system.

The ever-rising cost of projects is the number one financial challenge for municipalities, according to the latest survey from the National League of Cities.

Two triple-A bond deals from the Lone Star State to finance water-related projects are scheduled to price this week in the municipal market.

Utilities, and the local governments and states that house data centers, are wrestling with policy questions about who should cover the costs of the projected spikes in water and electricity demand.

The rating agency's review was triggered by the city's move to effectively end plans for a seawater desalination project that has $235 million of bonds outstanding.

With the estimated cost rising to $1.2 billion, the city council took action to end planning for the project, sparking concerns about outstanding bonds.

The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank has issued a billion dollars of debt to promote clean water.