ProGov21 Policy Library

Urban Flooding in the Great Lakes States: A Municipality / Utility Survey Report

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2012

Level City or Town, County

State(s) All States, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin

Source Center for Neighborhood Technology

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Community Development

This report highlights the prevalence and cost of flooding in the Great Lakes region and emphasizes the need for increased investment in green infrastructure and the adoption of flood mitigation strategies. The report also uses survey data to examine the impact of urban flooding and...

Invest in Water Infrastructure

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2021

Level City or Town, National

State(s) All States

Source National League Of Cities

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources

Local governments provide over 95% of the total funding for U.S. water infrastructure. To meet the nation’s growing water infrastructure needs, address the impacts of climate change on water quality and availability, and to ensure equity and affordability for low- and fixed-income...

Setting the Agenda: A Mayor’s Guide to Water Affordability

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2019

Level City or Town, County

State(s) All States

Source Mayors Innovation Project

Policy Areas Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Community Development

It is becoming more difficult for families to access clean and affordable water due to aging water infrastructure systems, climate change, and the rising cost of living. This report outlines best practices and innovative solutions mayors can adopt to ensure that residents have equitable...

An Assessment of Water Loss Among Lake Michigan Permittees in Illinois

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2014

Level State

State(s) Illinois

Source Chicago Metropolitan Agency For Planning

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Community Development, Public Spaces

CMAP staff partnered with the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) Office of Water Resources (OWR) through its Lake Michigan Water Allocation Program in an effort to improve understanding of the water-loss control practices...

Navigating Legal Pathways to Rate-Funded Customer Assistance Programs

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2017

Level City or Town, State

State(s) All States

Source University of North Carolina Environmental Finance Center

Policy Areas Economic Justice, Finance & Procurement

Low-income families are significantly burdened by rising water utility rates. This guide explains how water and wastewater utilities can establish payment assistance programs even when facing state-level regulatory restrictions. It also features utility-level case studies that exemplify...

2020 Baltimore Resolution 20-27 Prohibiting the Privatization of Baltimore's Underground Conduit System

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2020

Level City or Town

State(s) Maryland

Source Baltimore City Council

Policy Areas Public Safety

This resolution prohibits the City from selling, transferring, or franchising access to the City's water supply system, sewer system, and underground conduit system for cables wires and other facilities. Under this resolution, the city retains its authority to grant franchises or...

2012 Pittsburgh Ordinance 2010-0909 Regulating Natural Gas Extraction

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2012

Level City or Town

State(s) Pennsylvania

Source City of Pittsburgh

Policy Areas Public Safety, Environment & Natural Resources, Health

This ordinance bans the commercial extraction of natural gas within the city and establishes a bill of rights which includes the rights of natural ecosystems, the right of self government for city residents, and the right to sustainably access natural water sources. It also removes...

Richmond Climate Action Plan

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2016

Level City or Town

State(s) California

Source City of Richmond

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources

The City of Richmond's comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CAP) includes a variety of initiatives such as the Richmond Build program, which provides green job training and employment opportunities for local youth, and partnerships to install solar panels in lower-income neighborhoods....

2018 New York City Local Law Int. 0417-2018 Water Leak Reporting

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2018

Level City or Town

State(s) New York

Source New York City Council

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources

In order to incentivize water leak reporting, this local law grants the Commissioner of Environmental Protection discretionary authority to offer rewards to the public for reporting water leaks in taps or service pipes....

Gonzales Climate Action Plan 2018 Update

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2018

Level City or Town

State(s) California

Source City of Gonzales

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources

The City of Gonzales, California, developed its Climate Action Plan (CAP) to address climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainability. It identifies emission reduction targets and strategies across various sectors, including energy use, transportation, land...

Integrating Valuation Methods to Recognize Green Infrastructure's Multiple Benefits

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2010

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Center for Neighborhood Technology

Policy Areas Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

This report outlines the environmental and economic benefits associated with different types of green infrastructure, including urban forests, permeable pavement, water harvesting technology, green roofs, and infiltration practices like rain gardens, bioswales, and constructed wetlands....

Water Wars in Pennsylvania: How Corporations Play the Long Game

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2024

Level City or Town, County, State

State(s) All States, Pennsylvania

Source In the Public Interest

Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Health

Private water companies often over exploit publicly owned water resources, driving up prices and threatening sustainability. Policymakers and advocates must push back against private water companies to keep their water safe and affordable. This report exposes private companies' political...

Illinois Gun Owners' Safety and Responsibility Ordinance

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2011

Level City or Town

State(s) Maryland

Source Town of Mountain Lake Park

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Health

This ordinance prohibits the future extraction of natural gas in the city of Mountain Lake Park, and establishes a bill of rights which includes the civil rights of local natural ecosystems, the right to a sustainable energy future for city residents, and the right to self government....

A Blueprint for Disaster: Flint’s Crisis, State Government’s Challenges and the Policy Solutions to Both

Type Fact Sheet or Infographic

Year 2016

Level City or Town

State(s) Michigan

Source Michigan League for Public Policy

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance, Health

The government should protect people from water crises. When governments are run as businesses, they fail to consider the needs of residents. Instead, they should work to improve infrastructure and reduce the race and wealth cap in access to city services. The disaster in Flint was...

2019 New York City Local Law Int.1138-2018 Inspecting Water Tanks

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2019

Level City or Town

State(s) New York

Source New York City Council

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Health

This local law requires the department of health and mental hygiene to review documentation of annual inspections of water tanks where harmful bacteria are found. It also requires the department to post the results of the documentation review on its website....

Responding to Water Stagnation in Buildings With Reduced or No Water Use: A Framework for Building Managers

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2020

Level City or Town, County

State(s) All States

Source American Water Works Association

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Health

Stagnation within building water systems is the condition in building plumbing when water is not being used and water remains still within the plumbing network. During stagnation, water quality issues may develop. The purpose of this document is to help building managers assess and...

Adaptation Tool Kit: Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Land Use

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2011

Level City or Town, State

State(s) All States

Source Georgetown Climate Center

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources

Rising sea levels pose threats to current planning, existing development, and ecological systems. These threats include flooding, enhanced storm surges, loss of infrastructure, destruction of wetlands and beaches, and increased risks for public health and safety. In response to these...

Setting the Agenda: A Mayor's Guide to Water Affordability

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2019

Level City or Town, County

State(s) All States

Source Mayors Innovation Project

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources

This brief provides a roadmap to consider water affordability programs as a means to address aging and failing water infrastructure and diminishing access to clean and affordable water. The brief describes best practices and innovative solutions so that utilities can address the aging...

The Risks Posed by Water Privatization

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2020

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source In the Public Interest

Policy Areas Community Development, Health, Finance & Procurement

Water privatization has often proven to be harmful to communities, workers, and the environment, and should not be relied on to help municipalities. While many water systems need improvements, corporate control does not provide a solution to provide long-term sustainability, regulatory...

The Invisible Crisis: Water Unaffordability in the United States

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2016

Level City or Town, State, National

State(s) All States

Source Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

Policy Areas Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Health

A sizable portion of the US population lacks continuous access to safe sources of water, undermining their dignity, health, living standards, and even family rights. Service providers and governments at the local, state and national levels must take immediate steps to address the...

Basic Water Utility Management: A Guide for Local Leaders

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2019

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Mayors Innovation Project

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources

Part of a mayor’s job is to understand vital operations of a city, including water utilities and infrastructure. This report presents tools to help mayors understand their water systems and utilities better. In particular, it summarizes the elements of a successful water system, including...

How to Promote Smarter Water Use by Giving Consumers Access to Their Consumption Data

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2015

Level City or Town, National

State(s) All States

Source Center for Data Innovation

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Data & Technology

Most consumers do not know how much water they use on a daily basis or how their water consumption compares to that of others because they receive little information on their utility bills. As a result, consumers receive minimal feedback on how changes in their behaviors, household...

Transition roadmaps for sustainable and resilient cities

Type Fact Sheet or Infographic

Year -

Level -

State(s) All States

Source Sustainable Justice EU

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance, Environment & Natural Resources

This database contains a compilation of guides to green energy transitions and climate mitigation and adaptation policies from cities around the world making transitions to green energy and implementing climate mitigative and adaptive policies. Policies included come from Rotterdam,...

Paying For Water Systems

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2019

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Mayors Innovation Project

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Finance & Procurement

Many public water utilities struggle to pay for repairs and upgrades necessary to improve energy efficiency, reduce leaks, and prevent infiltration. This brief outlines existing mechanisms to raise these funds as well as promising new methods for public officials to consider. Some...

Water Wars in Pennsylvania: How Corporations Play the Long Game

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2024

Level City or Town, County, State

State(s) Pennsylvania

Source -

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources

Private water companies often over exploit publicly-owned water resources, driving up prices and threatening sustainability. Policymakers and advocates must push back against private water companies to keep their water safe and affordable. This report exposes private companies political...

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