Advocacy Alert

The President’s recently released FY 2026 budget proposal calls for nearly a 90% reduction in funding for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs)—the cornerstone federal programs that support local investment in water infrastructure. These drastic cuts would reduce annual SRF funding from $2.76 billion to just $305 million, undermining decades of bipartisan work to ensure a long-term funding mechanism that helps ensure affordable, resilient clean water and wastewater services nationwide. 

It is critical that public clean water utilities and NACWA’s private sector members weigh in NOW with their Members of Congress to oppose these reductions. While these proposed cuts are alarming, it is the role of Congress to determine the actual spending levels – making this an important time to advocate against these cuts as the Appropriations process kicks off.  

At a May 14 Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations budget hearing with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Senators of both parties, including Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), pushed back on the Trump Administration’s proposed cuts to the SRFs. While there is already some strong opposition to the proposed cuts, it remains critical that members of Congress hear directly from their constituents about the real-world impacts these cuts would have on public health, local economies, and environmental protection. 

Investing in clean water is popular with voters and ratepayers, and Members of Congress need to hear about how federal investment helps make key projects happen.  

It is vital that Members hear directly from utilities in their states and districts about the real-world consequences of these cuts. NACWA is calling on all clean water agencies to act now. NACWA has developed a template letter that utilities can use for this purpose. We urge you to send this template letter or a similar one of your own to your Members of Congress urging them to reject these devastating reductions and support full funding for the SRFs in FY 2026 

Every community depends on water infrastructure that protects public health, ensures environmental stewardship, and supports economic growth. Slashing SRF funding would delay critical projects, increase financial burdens on ratepayers, and could jeopardize compliance with Clean Water Act mandates. 

Congress must uphold its commitment to infrastructure investment by maintaining strong federal support for the SRFs, especially as new regulatory requirements and inflation continue to drive clean water costs higher. 

Even if you have contacted your elected officials in the past, now is the time to do so again. Make your voice heard—urge your Senators and Representatives to fully fund the SRFs and protect our clean water future. 

Thank you for your swift action and support in this critical advocacy effort. If you have questions or would like to discuss this further, don't hesitate to contact Matt McKenna or any member of NACWA’s legislative team and please share your letter with us as well.