Clean Water Current
Winter 2026 Legislative Update
Perspectives
The 2025-2026 legislative landscape is testing clean water policy on multiple fronts, from federal investment, regulatory uncertainty, and with even the basic functioning of EPA becoming increasingly subject to political volatility. These pressures have made it abundantly clear that navigating these challenges will require sustained sector-wide coordination and unified messaging.
Over the past several months, Congressional attention on federal funding, PFAS liability, water affordability, and permitting have been under the microscope. These top clean water issues do not exist in isolation on Capitol Hill but rather are woven together in a way that represents the real challenges faced by the clean water sector. NACWA has been amplifying this message of rising affordability challenges and a difficult operating environment to policymakers, urging them to prioritize clean water investments during this challenging time.
There remains bipartisan recognition that water infrastructure is critical to the public, environmental, and economic health of communities. While support for clean water remains strong in principle, as we head into 2026, time will tell if this support translates into Congressional action. Federal programs such as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), up for reauthorization this year, are not immune to the constrained fiscal environment. While it remains unclear where the CWSRF reauthorization efforts will land in terms of top-line numbers, NACWA focused the final months of 2025 on strengthening and unifying the water sector’s voice through coordinated outreach and education. That message came through clearly at the recent Congressional briefing NACWA participated in alongside a diverse group of partners.
The prolonged federal government shutdown this Fall also illustrated how the divisive federal funding environment can have real and immediate consequences. The government shutdown led to a large amount of EPA staff furloughs and administrative backlogs, only deepening regulatory uncertainty and long-term planned efforts.
Beyond funding and regulatory stability, few issues better capture the strain that political volatility has on clean water utilities better than PFAS. Despite publicly owned clean water utilities having no hand in the manufacturing or use of PFAS, they nonetheless are faced with significant looming Clean Water Act compliance costs as well as CERCLA legal liability that could shift cleanup costs away from responsible parties and onto local communities.
That volatility was on full display during the December 18th House Energy and Commerce Committee Environment Subcommittee hearing examining EPA’s designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA. The hearing underscored growing bipartisan concern that, without explicit statutory protections granted by Congress, publicly owned water and wastewater utilities could be swept into PFAS cleanup liability for contamination they neither caused nor benefited from. Testimony from the water sector highlighted the real-world financial and operational risks utilities face under the current CERCLA framework, further illustrating how unchecked PFAS liability threatens to increase existing fiscal and regulatory pressures on local clean water systems.
These pressures also intersect with the growing national conversation around water affordability. The broad bipartisan support for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) in the House reflects the increasing recognition that utilities cannot solve the affordability crisis alone. NACWA is sharing this message with Senate leaders to ensure the chamber is well positioned to follow the House’s lead on this issue. While permanent LIHWAP authorization would not resolve affordability challenges by itself, the program offers a stable framework to help utilities support members of their community with the most need.
Undoubtedly, political volatility and fiscal constraints have created real challenges for clean water sector in 2025. But 2025 also underscored that our policy priorities are best served by sustained, coordinated advocacy sector-wide. While organizations elevate clean water issues in Washington, there is no substitute for policymakers hearing directly from the utilities that serve their constituents. As we head into 2026, NACWA will continue pressing forward, but success will depend on collective action across the sector in Washington and on-the-ground.
---- Danielle Cloutier, Director, NACWA’s Director of Legislative Affairs.
Congress Restores Annual Water Investment in Bipartisan Compromise, Reflecting Critical Water Sector Advocacy Win
As Congress returned to Washington this week to kick off the new year, Appropriators started with a splash by releasing the text of a bipartisan, bicameral funding package that would provide final, long-overdue Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) funding levels for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other federal agencies.
Of key importance for NACWA’s membership, the deal restores EPA’s funding for core water programs – in a sharp reversal from the severe cuts initially proposed by the White House and the House of Representatives in 2025. This development reflects a significant advocacy win after a very uncertain funding climate in 2025, underscoring the broad support for water investment and the importance of strong advocacy. Public clean water agencies and the sector at large have engaged over the past year in pushing back on proposed cuts to water programs. Simply put, all of the hard work that NACWA members have done in recent months to write and call members of Congress and push for strong funding levels has resulted in a clear positive outcome, and NACWA is proud that your voice has been heard.
The funding deal provides $8.82 billion total for U.S. EPA – a 4 percent cut in overall funding relative to the year prior – along with level or slightly increased funding for key programs like the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. Level funding was also restored for grants to states to implement Clean Water Act programs. Key numbers include:
Clean Water State Revolving Fund: $1.6 billion
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund: $1.1 billion
WIFIA: $64.6 million
Geographic programs: $690 million, which includes slight increases for all programs.
Background
Over the past year, NACWA has been advocating against the House’s proposed FY26 Appropriations — which included a 23 percent cut to EPA’s total budget and 24 percent cut to the SRFs — and the White House’s Budget Request, which proposed even more drastic cuts of 55 percent to U.S. EPA’s total budget and nearly 90 percent cut to the SRFs.
Advocates for water investment mounted a significant push-back, stressing the vital role of federal water infrastructure investment in protecting public health and the environment, supporting economic development and jobs, and helping keep rates affordable. The sector came together to show that when cuts to water investment are proposed, they do not go unnoticed — and households and constituents across the country will be impacted.
Next Steps in Congress
This funding deal was negotiated over the holidays by House and Senate Congressional Appropriations Committees. Democratic and Republican Leadership in both the House of Representatives and Senate aim to pass this three-bill package before the current Jan. 30 deadline, which would help avoid another government shutdown. While compromises were made by both sides of the aisle to reach a deal, leaders on both sides are urging Representatives and Senators to support the final package, framing it as a step toward maintaining regular order, responsible spending levels, and Congress’ power of the purse.
The package (text and explanatory statements) encompasses three of the nine outstanding funding bills (Interior-Environment, Commerce-Justice-Science, and Energy-Water Appropriations) that Congress has not yet passed for FY26, which began Oct. 1. Agencies are currently operating under a Continuing Resolution, creating significant uncertainty regarding the final funding amounts available for core programs that deliver federal dollars to states and communities.
The bills are scheduled to move to the House floor for a vote on Jan. 8, where passage with bipartisan support is expected. Senate passage is likewise anticipated but not certain, and the bills then need to be signed into law by President Trump. NACWA will continue to work with Congress to support the deal moving smoothly toward passage.
Next Steps for NACWA
NACWA strongly supports increased water investment, and pushing back on the proposed gutting of core programs was critical to that goal this year. Notably, this deal covers FY26 annual funding which is being further supplemented by the historic five-year Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) which provides supplemental water funding from FY22-FY26. This means that after this year, states and localities will see fewer resources available if annual funding remains level. Congress’ continued reliance on SRF dollars for earmarked projects further exasperates state programs.
NACWA continues to advocate against the use of the CWSRF to fund earmarks. The spending deal currently advancing continues the practice of funding earmarks out of the CWSRF, and while maintaining the CWSRF at level funding helps to somewhat blunt the impact of earmarks, NACWA does not believe this is a sustainable practice moving forward and will continue to advocate for other funding sources.
A stronger, more resilient future for clean water investment will take continued sustained advocacy and collaboration. Through its strong and growing membership, NACWA is well poised to continue championing the critical need for federal water investment moving forward. Contact: Kaitlyn Montán
Water Sector, Municipal Groups Highlight Importance of Federal Investment at Congressional Briefing
NACWA joined a broad coalition of water and local government partners this week to brief Congressional staff on why water infrastructure funding and financing programs, especially the State Revolving Funds (SRFs), are essential to water quality, public health and affordability.
The briefing, titled “Strong Infrastructure, Smart Spending: Investing in Affordable, Reliable Water," featured panelists representing a range of stakeholders involved in water infrastructure investment and included Kishia L. Powell, NACWA Board Member and General Manager and CEO of WSSC Water.
Other panelists included:
Scott Berry, US Water Alliance
Zachary Schafer, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Maryland Department of the Environment
Tad Bohannon, CEO, Central Arkansas Water
Dan Buckley, Mid-Atlantic Pre-Construction Executive, Garney Construction
Amy Stevens, Watershed Restoration Division Chief, Montgomery County (Md.) Department of Environmental Protection
Panelists highlighted how the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRFs remain among the most effective federal-state partnerships in the country, and how through the SRFs, utilities are better able to manage affordability, public health, and regulatory compliance, while also driving economic growth in their communities. They also shared specific examples of how SRF funding has helped make critical clean water investments in their communities and in their states.
This briefing was part of NACWA’s continued advocacy to highlight the importance of federal investment in America’s aging water infrastructure systems, specifically the critical role that the Clean Water SRF has for clean water utilities.
NACWA encourages members to contact their members of Congress and advocate for reauthorization of the Clean Water SRF through 2031 at or above the current authorization levels of $3.25 billion. Members may use this template to help with outreach.
NACWA thanks Kishia Powell for participating in the briefing and providing a critical public clean water agency perspective. NACWA also thanks the American Public Works Association for helping organize the briefing and inviting NACWA to participate. Contact: Kaitlyn Montán
After a record 43-day shutdown, Congress approved — and President Donald Trump signed — a bipartisan government funding package late Wednesday night to reopen the federal government. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), resumed normal operations Thursday morning, Nov. 13.
The House passed the measure 222-209 following a Senate-brokered deal. The continuing resolution includes three of the 12 annual appropriations bills — covering Agriculture, Legislative Branch, and Veterans Affairs & Military Construction — while extending funding for all other federal agencies, including EPA, through Jan. 30, 2026.
The Interior & Environment Appropriations bill, which funds EPA and key clean water programs, still needs to be enacted before the new deadline.
EPA’s reopening allows the Agency to resume important permitting, rulemaking, and regulatory implementation work, including efforts related to Clean Water Act programs that were paused during the shutdown. While immediate appropriation impacts on major funding programs such as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) are minimal as part of the deal, their FY 2026 funding levels will depend heavily on future appropriations negotiations.
With another funding deadline approaching in January, Congress will need to complete the remaining appropriations bills. NACWA continues to strongly advocate for the highest possible funding levels for essential federal clean water infrastructure programs, including the CWSRF and WIFIA, to support communities and protect the public health and environment nationwide. Contact: Kaitlyn Montán
NACWA’s advocacy campaign in support of a strong Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) continues, with NACWA joining other national water and municipal organizations in sending a joint letter to Congress last week urging reauthorization of the Clean Water SRF through 2031, at or above the current funding level of $3.25 billion per year.
The House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) is developing text for the reauthorization of the Clean Water SRF, but the federal government shutdown has postponed action. The Committee is expected to resume work on the reauthorization shortly after the shutdown ends. In the meantime, NACWA continues to engage with both T&I Committee staff and staff in individual congressional offices.
NACWA staff have had more than 30 productive meetings with Democratic and Republican offices whose members serve on the House T&I Committee to explain the importance of the Clean Water SRF and advocate for reauthorization through 2031 at or above the current $3.25 billion authorization level.
Unfortunately, the T&I Committee has suggested that the sector may see a lower authorization level than we have seen in recent years – which has helped spur a final push across the sector to secure the highest funding level possible. In addition to the national organization letter noted above, NACWA worked with affiliate members to coordinate a letter sent to the Committee this week demonstrating strong private sector support for water investment. And, NACWA joined a recent letter coordinated by the environmental NGO community in support of the Clean Water SRF. Collectively, these letters show the broad impact of and support for maintain and growing—not cutting— the Clean Water SRF.
Utility engagement is also key to this effort. NACWA encourages members to contact their members of Congress and advocate for reauthorization of the Clean Water SRF through 2031 at or above the current authorization levels of $3.25 billion. Members may use this template to help with outreach.
Some members of the T&I Committee have introduced additional legislation that they hope to incorporate into the reauthorization. This includes:
Reps. Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio) and Rob Bresnahan’s (R-Pa.) Water Preservation and Affordability Act of 2025 (H.R. 5661), which aims to provide additional support for utilities to invest in cost-saving, resilient infrastructure.
Reps. John Garamendi (D-N.J.) and Mike Bost’s (R-Ill.) Clean Water SRF Parity Act (H.R. 3862), which aims to allow low-interest loans from the Clean Water SRF to be given to privately owned wastewater systems. Currently, they can only be given to publicly owned wastewater systems.
Rep. Frederica Wilson’s (D-Fla.) Clean Water Affordability Act (H.R. 5833), which aims to allow states to offer more affordable financing options under the Clean Water SRF program.
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-Vt.) WATER Act (H.R. 3376), which aims to expand access to clean, safe, and affordable drinking water.
It remains to be seen which if any of these additional bills will be incorporated into the House’s ultimate Clean Water SRF reauthorization legislation as negotiations between Republicans and Democrats on the committee remain ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee is expected to start action on its legislation to reauthorize the Clean Water SRF in the first quarter of 2026. NACWA staff have had 13 meetings so far with Senate offices whose members serve on the Senate EPW Committee and will continue engaging with key staff as progress continues. Contact: Kaitlyn Montán
NACWA, in partnership with DC Water, hosted a tour of the utility’s Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant this week for Congressional staff in the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC). SEEC is committed to advancing policies that support clean energy innovation, address climate change, protect our natural environment, and promote environmental justice.
DC Water staff provided an overview of the facility’s operations, introducing Congressional staff to the innovative, dedicated efforts that go into providing clean water services and providing insights into how water policies affect communities across the country. Topics of discussion ranged from permitting requirements, process performance, water reuse, biosolids and DC Water’s Bloom Class A biosolids product, combined sewer overflow capture, and wet weather treatment.
The tour underscored NACWA’s commitment to engaging directly with federal lawmakers on key policy priorities and challenges facing the water sector. Contact: Kaitlyn Montán
NACWA Urges Member Engagement on Advocacy Priorities
While NACWA staff carries the clean water message as aggressively and effectively as we can, there is no substitute for federal leaders hearing directly from our members – both public and private. As an association, we are strongest when we are all working together to advance shared advocacy goals.
NACWA sent a message to members this week urging their attention to several key matters that are at critical junctures on Capitol Hill and at EPA, such as funding, PFAS, and biosolids. We urge all members to review the message and consider engaging further with your federal representatives. Members are encouraged to contact NACWA staff with any specific questions they may have. Contact: Kristina Surfus
The U.S. Senate yesterday confirmed Jessica Kramer as the new Assistant Administrator for Water at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Kramer, who has been serving as a Senior Advisor to the EPA Administrator on water issues, will now formally lead the office charged with advancing national water policy and implementation of critical clean water programs.
Kramer formerly worked as legislative staff for Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), who expressed strong support her nomination. As NACWA previously reported, Kramer’s nomination secured rare bipartisan support from the EPW Committee earlier this year. Kramer most recently worked as the Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Kramer’s resume also includes her time as a lobbyist at the firm Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber and Schreck—where she helped advocate for water system liability protections for the Water Coalition Against PFAS.
NACWA congratulates Assistant Administrator Kramer on her confirmation and looks forward to continuing our close partnership with her and her team. Strong leadership at EPA is vital to ensuring public clean water utilities can continue providing essential and affordable services for communities across the country. Contact: Danielle Cloutier
During the next few months, the House Appropriations Committee will start releasing legislative text for the 12 appropriation bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 (Oct. 1, 2025 – Sept. 30, 2026). Congress must pass these by Sept. 30, 2025, to fund the government for FY 2026.
President Trump’s budget proposal for Congress calls for cuts across agencies, including severe cuts for key programs at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Proposed EPA funding in the President’s budget includes:
$155 million for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) (a decrease of approximately $1.48 billion compared to FY 2025);
$150 million for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) (a decrease of approximately $976.1 million compared to FY 2025); and
$8 million for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) fund (a decrease of approximately $64.6 million compared to FY 2025).
The Administration continues to justify these draconian cuts by highlighting past federal investment in water, stating that the role of the federal government in water infrastructure investment must shrink and that states must take more responsibility for funding water infrastructure.
Federal lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have criticized the Administration’s proposed cuts. As a result, NACWA expects that the House and Senate Appropriations Committees’ Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bills, which include EPA, will restore some of the cuts the Administration has proposed.
However, there is no guarantee that Congress will maintain sufficient levels of funding for important infrastructure programs like the CWSRF and WIFIA. NACWA continues to advocate against the Administration’s budget request and is working with Congress to highlight the need for these programs and underscore the fact that greater investment in water infrastructure ensures communities across the country have access to affordable, clean and safe water.
House appropriators were originally scheduled to release and markup their bill in Subcommittee this week; however, this has been postponed and not yet rescheduled. Senate appropriators are will likely also mark up their bill later this summer.
Numerous NACWA member utilities have already sent letters to their Congressional delegations advocating for sustained clean water funding, helping bolster support in Congress to reject the extreme cuts. NACWA thanks those utilities that have already engaged, but more outreach is needed.
It is critical for NACWA members to continue to weigh in with their members of Congress to oppose deep cuts to clean water funding. NACWA has provided an updated template letter to assist with this outreach. Additionally, NACWA encourages member agencies to invite their members of Congress to facility visits during the summer — when lawmakers usually spend more time in their home states and districts — to discuss federal water investment and other local priorities. Contact: Kaitlyn Montán
The federal government shutdown has entered its second week following Congress’s failure to pass appropriations or a continuing resolution to fund federal operations, and there is no immediate end in sight. The prolonged lapse in funding has triggered widespread furloughs across federal agencies, including at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Out of more than 15,000 employees, only a limited number will be retained to perform essential agency functions as the shutdown continues.
As NACWA reported last week, many EPA actions are now on hold. These include the issuance of new federal permits, grants, regulations, and policies; most ongoing research programs; and approvals for pending state requests such as permits, total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), and water quality standards.
One concern NACWA members have expressed is whether existing funding that has already been approved for projects might be canceled as a result of the shutdown. This is something that happened with certain funds from the federal Department of Energy and the Department of Transportation early in the shutdown. While NACWA is not aware of any similar cancellations to date involving funding from EPA for water projects, the Association continues to closely monitor developments at EPA and other federal agencies to assess and communicate possible impacts to the public clean water sector. Contact: Danielle Cloutier
EPA Contingency Plan Outlines Utility Impacts as Government Shutdown Begins
The federal government officially shut down at midnight on Sept.30, after Congress failed to reach an agreement on extending funding to keep the government open.
Ahead of the shutdown federal agencies began releasing their contingency plans detailing how the shutdown will impact agencies’ function and workforce status. Historically, shutdowns have varied in duration, with lapses ranging from just a few days to the 35-day shutdown of 2018-2019. The longer the shutdown persists, the longer it may take for agencies to recover from mounting backlogs and stalled projects.
Generally, only a limited set of activities can continue during shutdowns, including those funded through alternative sources or legally required to protect life and property.
According to EPA’s Contingency Plan for Shutdowns, nearly 90 percent of the agency’s 15,000-person workforce is expected to be furloughed for the duration of the shutdown. Despite the significant workforce furlough, some essential functions of the agency will continue, including:
Emergency response to hazardous spills;
Protection of EPA property, laboratories and ongoing scientific experiments;
Certain law enforcement, litigation and criminal investigative activities; and
Payments on contracts and grants where funds were previously obligated.
However, many routine activities will be temporarily put on hold, including:
New permits, grants, regulations, and policies;
Most EPA research and publications not tied to emergencies;
Superfund site work that does not pose immediate risks to human health;
Approvals for state-submitted requests, including permits, SIPs, TMDLs and water quality standards.
NACWA has heard that EPA has enough funding to continue most operations for anywhere from 3 to 13 days into the shutdown. However, the longer the shutdown goes, the more the Agency will be impacted.
The White House Office of Management and Budget has indicated that it will use the shutdown to institute widespread firings and reductions in force at federal agencies, and it remains to be seen how that may impact EPA.
Administrator Zeldin has thus far resisted internal and external calls for more severe EPA workforce cuts during the shutdown. Zeldin has argued that maintaining certain staff is critical to ensuring that EPA can meet statutory and legal obligations, protect life and property, and restart operations efficiently once funding is restored. Contact: Danielle Cloutier
Two New House Bills Advance Clean Water Investment and Resilience Efforts
U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) has reintroduced the Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act, a bipartisan bill that aims to help wastewater, stormwater and drinking water systems upgrade aging infrastructure and improve resilience to extreme weather and cyber threats.
The legislation, which has bipartisan cosponsors including Reps. David Valadao (R-Calif.), Troy Carter (D-La.), Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), and Brian Mast (R-Fla.), underscores the growing recognition across party lines that water systems are facing increasing risks from extreme weather and cybersecurity threats.
The legislation would reauthorize three federal resilience programs through fiscal year 2031. These programs include:
Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program – authorizes EPA to provide grants to local governments to increase the resilience of publicly owned treatment works to a natural hazard or cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program – authorizes EPA to provide grants to medium and large public drinking water utilities for resilience efforts against natural disasters, extreme weather and cybersecurity threats.
Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program – authorizes EPA to provide grants to underserved, small and disadvantaged communities to improve infrastructure resilience to extreme weather and other natural disasters.
The press release accompanying the bill specifically cited NACWA’s support. NACWA CEO Adam Krantz stated that, “NACWA applauds Representatives Carbajal, Mast, Carter, Van Drew, and Valadao for introducing the Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act of 2025. Reauthorizing the Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program will help ensure continued federal support for projects that help utilities withstand natural disasters and cyber threats.”
Additionally, Representative Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio) this week introduced the Water Preservation and Affordability Act.
The bill amends the Clean Water Act to expand the use of “resource preservation techniques,” which include water reuse and conservation, energy efficiency, stormwater mitigation, sustainable design, and other environmentally innovative practices. It encourages Clean Water State Revolving Fund projects to evaluate and incorporate these techniques wherever practicable, strengthening cost-effective and sustainable infrastructure investment.
The bill also increases funding authorizations—$40 million annually for the Wastewater Efficiency Grant Pilot Program and $50 million annually for the Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program from FY 2026 through FY 2031. Contact: Danielle Cloutier
House Appropriations Committee Releases EPA Funding Bill with Significant Cuts, Signaling Critical Advocacy Fight Ahead
The House Committee on Appropriations ramped up action in full force this week on their Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bills, with the release and markup of multiple spending proposals. Of particular importance to NACWA members, the House’s Interior and Environment appropriations bill was released and proposed a 23 percent cut to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) overall budget.
While the House’s proposal is not as drastic as the 55 percent cut to U.S. EPA’s overall budget and nearly 90 percent cut to the State Revolving Funds (SRFs) that was proposed in President Trump’s Budget Request, this cut does affect critical water infrastructure funding and other key clean water programs, such as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program, and EPA’s geographic watershed programs.
Details on House Appropriator's EPA Budget Proposal include:
EPA Total – $7.01 billion ($2.12 billion below FY 2025 enacted)
State and Tribal Assistance Grants Total – $3.7 billion ($679.8 million below the FY 2025 enacted)
Clean Water State Revolving Fund – $1.2 billion ($430 million below FY 2025 enacted)
$559 million of the $1.2 billion is directed toward Community Project Funding or earmarks. A list of included earmarks can be found here.
WIFIA – $64.6 million ($7.7 million below FY 2025 enacted)
Geographic Programs – $651 million ($31 million below FY 2025 enacted)
In addition to outlining spending levels, the bill includes some policy “riders.” One particular provision would restrict any funds from being used to finalize or implement the Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for PFOA and PFOS.
On July 14, the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee advanced its bill to the full Appropriations Committee on an 8-5 party-line vote. During the hearing, Representative Mike Simpson (R-ID), chair of the Interior and Environment Subcommittee, explained that while there was a 23 percent cut to EPA, he believed the bill does continue to fund important grants for state programs and key water infrastructure projects.
On the other hand, Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), the ranking member for the subcommittee, strongly criticized the bill’s cuts to water infrastructure and the EPA, arguing they limit the federal government’s ability to protect public health and the environment and force states to pay for critical infrastructure needs and environmental protection.
The Senate has yet to release its Interior and Environment appropriations bill text, but NACWA expects that cuts to the EPA and key water infrastructure funding will not be as severe as the House’s version. NACWA will share information on the Senate’s text once it is released.
Congress will need to reconcile any differences between House and Senate versions of all subcommittee's funding bills (there are twelve) before the end of the Fiscal Year on September 30, 2025, to keep the government funded. It is likely that Congress will miss this deadline and pass a short-term Continuing Resolution to fund the government at its current funding levels until Congress can come to an agreement on the funding bills.
It is also possible that the bills are never finalized this fiscal year and the government operates on a full-year Continuing Resolution. Given that any final bill this year is likely to reflect a decrease from last year, a full-year Continuing Resolution could actually be the best-case scenario with respect to water program funding.
NACWA continues to advocate strongly with Congress for robust funding for clean water programs in the FY 2026 appropriations cycle. However, in addition to NACWA’s efforts in Washington, it is also vitally important that all NACWA members continue to contact their Members of Congress and advocate for the highest possible levels of funding for key clean water programs, including the CWSRF and the WIFIA program.
The House’s rejection of the more draconian cuts proposed by the Administration reflect that the message about the need for and value of federal water infrastructure investment is making an impact. Members can use this template letter to help with outreach. Contact: Kaitlyn Montán
The federal government shutdown has entered its second week following Congress’s failure to pass appropriations or a continuing resolution to fund federal operations, and there is no immediate end in sight. The prolonged lapse in funding has triggered widespread furloughs across federal agencies, including at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Out of more than 15,000 employees, only a limited number will be retained to perform essential agency functions as the shutdown continues.
As NACWA reported last week, many EPA actions are now on hold. These include the issuance of new federal permits, grants, regulations, and policies; most ongoing research programs; and approvals for pending state requests such as permits, total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), and water quality standards.
One concern NACWA members have expressed is whether existing funding that has already been approved for projects might be canceled as a result of the shutdown. This is something that happened with certain funds from the federal Department of Energy and the Department of Transportation early in the shutdown. While NACWA is not aware of any similar cancellations to date involving funding from EPA for water projects, the Association continues to closely monitor developments at EPA and other federal agencies to assess and communicate possible impacts to the public clean water sector. Contact: Danielle Cloutier
Congress Kicks Off FY 2026 Funding Process, Member Outreach Needed
The Senate Appropriations Committee is set to begin markups of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bills this week, with a full committee meeting scheduled for July 10 to consider the FY 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science; Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA; and Legislative Branch appropriations bills. The committee has yet to release markup dates for the remaining nine bills but could move forward with them this month, including the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bill, which funds EPA.
NACWA continues to advocate strongly for robust funding for clean water programs in the FY 2026 appropriations cycle. It is also vitally important that all NACWA members continue to contact their members of congress and advocate for the highest possible levels of funding for key clean water programs, including the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. This is especially true when members of congress will be in their home districts during the August congressional recess. Members can use this template letter to help with outreach.
Most recently, NACWA joined several national associations in a letter led by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, calling for funding consistent with FY 2025 levels for NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR). OAR provides essential data, models, and decision-support tools that inform water utilities’ work to ensure a reliable water supply, prepare for disasters, and mitigate the impacts of droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events. The letter is available here.
In the House, which is recessed this week after a prolonged floor debate on the Republican reconciliation bill that passed last week, four bills—the Defense; Military Construction; Legislative Branch; and Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA appropriations bills—have already been reported out of the full Committee. The House Appropriations Committee originally scheduled a markup of the Interior and Environment bill, which funds EPA, in June but postponed it to a future date that has not yet been announced. It is very possible that the Committee could reschedule the markup for later this month. Contact: Matt McKenna
One Big Beautiful Bill Spares Municipal Bonds, Preserving Key Funding Tool for Public Water Utilities
President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law July 4, which Congressional Republicans and President Trump are using to enact their core legislative and tax priorities. The bill did not include federal funding for infrastructure but notably also did not include any provisions to eliminate the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds which had been on the table to help pay for other provisions in the bill. NACWA and a wide coalition of municipal interests advocated for preserving the exemption and met with Congressional offices to explain the vital impact municipal bonds have on local communities and economies.
While the bill does not provide any federal funding directly for water infrastructure, there are provisions in this new law that may affect NACWA members. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act’s green energy and electric vehicle-related credits will either be removed or phased out. It also rescinds unobligated funding for a large swath of IRA programs, including:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Justice Block Grants and Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
The U.S. Department of Energy’s State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants; and
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Neighborhood Access and Equity Program.
The elimination and phasing out of these tax credits and grant programs could indirectly affect the water sector by shifting energy reliance to more costly alternatives.
However, the One Big Beautiful Bill includes several provisions of interest for NACWA members. There is funding included for a source water protection program and a watershed protection program, both managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Additionally, there are provisions in the new law that will support the biogas sector’s initiatives to transform organic waste—including biosolids—into biogas. Lastly, the bill includes a provision that allows developers to pay a fee for expedited permitting processes.
Congress passed the bill using the reconciliation process, a once-per-fiscal-year opportunity that can allow the majority party to more easily enact its agenda because it requires only a simple majority vote to pass the Senate. NACWA has prepared a brief overview of the process for members and how it is distinct from the appropriations process.
Congress is now moving forward with its annual appropriations process, which outlines funding for the upcoming fiscal year. NACWA has been diligently meeting with Congressional offices in the House and the Senate to discuss the need for strong federal funding for key water infrastructure programs, namely the State Revolving Funds and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. NACWA will continue to keep members updated as the appropriations process progresses. Contact: Kaitlyn Montán
NACWA Submits FY 2026 Clean Water Funding Testimony to House and Senate Appropriators
NACWA submitted testimony this week to Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education; and the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, outlining urgent needs and funding priorities for the public clean water sector for the federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations cycle.
NACWA’s testimony emphasized that its member utilities serve more than 150 million Americans each day and are essential to protecting public health, safeguarding the environment, and supporting economic development in both large and small communities. At the same time, millions of Americans are experiencing a worsening water affordability crisis, with recent estimates showing that between 12 million and 20 million households struggle to pay for essential water services.
In response to these challenges, NACWA is urging Congress to fully fund a suite of federal clean water programs in FY 2026 to ensure communities can continue delivering reliable and affordable wastewater and stormwater services.
Key funding requests include:
$280 million for the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant Program;
At least $3.25 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) to meet fully authorized levels;
$75.6 million for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program;
$500 million for the continuation of the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) at Department of Health & Human Services.
NACWA is also strongly advocating for increased investments in workforce development, water affordability initiatives, and innovative clean water technologies. The Association further emphasized in its testimony the need for support to help underserved communities connect to centralized wastewater systems and called for more robust federal research into PFAS treatment and mitigation solutions.
In addition to the direct funding requests, NACWA also urged the Committee to include language directing that FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program receive the full 6 percent set-aside authorized under current law.
As the FY 2026 appropriations process advances, NACWA will continue to advocate for strong federal investment in clean water infrastructure to ensure utilities can meet the evolving needs of the communities they serve. Contact: Matt McKenna
The House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Environment Subcommittee held a hearing on Dec. 18, examining the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) designation of two PFAS chemicals — PFOA and PFOS — as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). While NACWA will provide a more comprehensive summary of the hearing at a later date, it largely focused on liability concerns associated with the designation and explored potential legislative responses.
NACWA, a member of the Water Coalition Against PFAS, continues to advocate that Congress uphold CERCLA’s “polluter pays” principle and protect public water agencies from potential liability for PFAS pollution that they neither created nor profited from. Alongside other Coalition partners across the water sector, NACWA held multiple meetings with congressional offices this week before the hearing to promote legislation that provides targeted liability protections while ensuring that responsible polluters are held accountable for PFAS cleanup.
The American Water Works Association (AWWA), which is also a member of the Coalition, testified on behalf of the water sector at the hearing. In his testimony, Tracy Mehan, AWWA’s Executive Director for Government Affairs, highlighted the significant liability risks facing public water systems if utilities are held responsible for PFAS contamination they did not create. Contact: Matt McKenna
NACWA Highlights PFAS Challenges in Statement to Senate EPW Committee
NACWA submitted a detailed statement for the record to the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee following a Nov. 19 hearing examining PFAS cleanup and disposal policy. The statement outlines the significant challenges that publicly owned clean water utilities face in managing PFAS contamination and urges Congress to provide clear, science-based guidance and statutory protections for passive receivers.
In the statement, NACWA reiterates that clean water agencies do not manufacture or profit from PFAS but instead receive these chemicals through normal wastewater and stormwater flows—reflecting decades of widespread consumer and industrial PFAS use. Because no cost-effective technologies yet exist to remove PFAS at the scale utilities manage, these utilities risk immense financial exposure if held liable under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) for PFOA and PFOS contamination they did not create.
NACWA also highlights the significant national costs associated with PFAS management, noting that recent state analyses project tens of billions of dollars annually in wastewater treatment and disposal costs nationwide. Layering CERCLA’s retroactive, strict-liability framework on top of these burdens would risk shifting PFAS cleanup costs from polluters to local communities—undermining CERCLA’s core “polluter pays” principle.
Importantly, NACWA’s statement explains why current CERCLA exclusions—such as the federally permitted release provision and the normal application of fertilizer exclusion—do not provide proven, reliable protection for publicly owned utilities when it comes to PFOA and PFOS under CERCLA. The letter also underscores the limitations of EPA’s enforcement discretion policy, which is nonbinding and could change at any time.
NACWA applauds the EPW Committee’s attention to the need for clear national guidance on PFAS disposal and destruction, while urging Congress to enact durable statutory liability protections for water utilities and other passive receivers. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin has confirmed that EPA does not currently have the authority to provide a comprehensive legal shield, making Congressional action essential.
NACWA will continue working with its water sector partners and bipartisan leaders in the House and the Senate to advance legislation that protects communities, strengthens environmental stewardship and ensures that polluters—not the public—bear responsibility for PFAS cleanups. Contact: Matt McKenna
NACWA’s Biosolids PFAS State Legislative Guide and Model Legislation Now Available
In response to requests from the membership for additional assistance around PFAS and biosolids, NACWA has developed a new resource – the Biosolids PFAS Legislative Guide and companion Model Legislation Template – to help guide members navigating state and local biosolids management concerns. This new document was released this week via an Advocacy Alert to all members.
The Legislative Guide outlines the various efforts states are taking to address PFAS concerns in municipal biosolids and provides considerations for the clean water utility community. The Model Legislation Template is designed to help utilities and state legislators focus on practical, science-based approaches (e.g., developing comprehensive biosolids sampling and monitoring, policy based on local and site-specific data and information, etc.) instead of broad prohibitions on the sale or land application of biosolids.
Many states are advancing PFAS-related legislation, with some doing so in direct response to EPA’s Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for PFOA and PFOS. EPA’s Draft Risk Assessment assumed a 1 part per billion concentration for modeling purposes, which was not intended as a regulatory limit. However, some states are incorrectly using this value as a threshold limit for biosolids land application. NACWA hopes its new Guide and Model Legislation will help members respond to these misinterpretations and engage constructively with policymakers.
NACWA extends its deep thanks to legal affiliate AquaLaw for its partnership and expertise in developing this important resource for members. Contact: Emily Remmel
NACWA Conveys Importance of Biosolids to DC-Area Legislators
Legislators from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., convened at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) last week to hear about clean water utilities’ efforts to address growing concerns over PFAS in biosolids. NACWA was asked to participate and provide a national overview of some states’ practical approach to understanding PFAS in biosolids coupled with product source elimination.
During the meeting, utility representatives discussed their work to better understand PFAS concentrations and identify upstream sources of the pervasive chemicals. The meeting aimed to inform state legislators about how clean water utilities manage residuals and strategies they are developing if any current management options become unavailable.
The meeting was prompted by Maryland legislation introduced last year but which failed to pass that would have effectively banned the land application of municipal biosolids by imposing a 1 part per billion (ppb) maximum level for certain PFAS—a threshold inappropriately derived from EPA’s draft biosolids risk assessment.
Several Maryland state legislators attended the meeting, and NACWA anticipates that a revised version of the bill will be reintroduced in next legislative session. However, NACWA expects that future proposals will include more practical provisions, including a move away from the 1 ppb limit.
This positive development is a direct result of hard work and strong advocacy by the region’s public clean water agencies. Utilities in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., along with their state clean water associations, have increased communication and advocacy on biosolids issues while also working closely with the bill’s sponsors, state legislators and the Maryland Department of Environment to highlight the consequences a land application ban would have on the region’s utility operations, farmers and ratepayers. Contact: Emily Remmel
NACWA Raises Serious Concerns with Proposed Massachusetts PFAS Legislation
In a letter submitted this week to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Joint Committee for Public Health, NACWA and the Northeast Biosolids and Residuals Association (NEBRA) urged Massachusetts legislators not to advance proposed state legislation relating to biosolids management and PFAS unless significant concerning provisions are removed or revised.
NACWA and NEBRA provided written testimony before a Sept. 10 hearing on the legislation and reiterated concerns with limiting biosolids management options before state regulators have a full understanding of PFAS concentrations in municipal biosolids, implement any source control methods needed, consider best management practices, and have a full understanding of the consequences of a biosolids land application ban for clean water utilities and their customers.
The bills, H.2450/S.1506, “An Act to Protect Massachusetts Public Health from PFAS,” include a requirement that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection promulgate regulations to phase out the “use, sale, or distribution” of biosolids, including for land application. The bills also give the green light for direct disposal of biosolids in landfills.
The Massachusetts legislation is one of a handful of proposed bills in the state that seek to eliminate biosolids land application and ban the sale of products derived from biosolids due to PFAS concerns. NACWA plans to comment on each of the bills with the help of members in the state and regional partners.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is actively studying current and near-term biosolids management in the state and is looking at production volumes, hauling distances and management options and trends, as well as cost projections considering various regional regulatory and legislative actions that could impact Massachusetts utilities. The report’s executive summary warns that there is “very little additional capacity at existing [landfill] facilities or capacity at new facilities… and some outlets will no longer be available.” Additionally, at least 7 percent of biosolids generated in Massachusetts would have to be taken out of state— requiring 2,500 tractor trailers each year coupled with growing market risks and regional disruptions.
NACWA and NEBRA’s comments urged legislation that offers practical alternatives (such as comprehensive sampling and analysis, best management practices, or tiered interim approaches) until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalizes its draft risk assessment for PFAS in biosolids and promulgates a Part 503 regulatory standard. Bans on biosolids land application will not solve the collective PFAS problem and will only place additional burdens and costs on local communities, clean water utilities and their customers.
Massachusetts is just one of many states that has sought to move forward with state biosolids legislation and/or regulations for PFAS in recent months. Some of these legislative efforts have been successful while others have not, but NACWA expects there to be continued momentum at the state level around these efforts. NACWA has weighed in with comments and letters in many of these states on behalf of its members, and the Association always stands ready to assist members with advocacy at the state level where needed and appropriate. Contact: Emily Remmel
PFAS Briefing Highlights Impacts of Proposed Legislation
NACWA joined a coalition of drinking water and wastewater systems, water sector professionals, local government associations, and others this week to hold a briefing for Congressional staff on PFAS Policy and Practice: The Role of Local Government and Essential Public Services. This briefing provided an overview of the roles and responsibilities of passive receivers, such as local governments and essential public service providers, in managing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) while safeguarding public health and the environment.
Panelists included representatives from academia, local governments, public works, drinking water, wastewater, and solid waste to offer perspectives on the role of PFAS passive receivers. Panelists also discussed how EPA’s recent CERCLA designation of certain PFAS compounds as hazardous substances under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) impacts different sectors.
This briefing was part of NACWA’s continued advocacy to encourage Congress to avoid negative unintended consequences by explicitly exempting public water and wastewater utilities from PFAS liability under CERCLA and ensuring a ‘polluter pays’ model that holds those responsible for PFAS contamination accountable.
Panelists at the briefing highlighted the Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act of 2025, sponsored by Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) and Celeste Maloy (R-Utah), as well as the work of Senator Cynthia Lummis’s (R-Wyo.) who introduced a similar bill on PFAS liability protection for water systems last Congress.
NACWA thanks Amanda Waters, General Counsel and Deputy General Manager for NACWA member utility AlexRenew, for participating in the briefing and providing a critical clean water agency perspective. Contact: Kaitlyn Montán
NACWA, along with colleagues from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), met with the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week to discuss the success of the temporary Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) and urge support for a permanent program.
LIHWAP was first established and funded by Congress in Fiscal Year 2021 and received two tranches of federal funding totaling $1.14 billion. Over its three years of operation, starting during the COVID-19 pandemic, LIHWAP provided critical assistance for 1.6 million households struggling to pay water bills. This funding helped numerous households address water affordability concerns and allowed utilities to collect much needed additional revenue.
NACWA has been working urgently to support a permanent program that builds on this success. Much of that focus is on Congress, which needs to pass legislation authorizing and funding the program. However, buy-in from the Trump Administration is key as well and NACWA appreciated the opportunity to meet with political leadership from HHS to discuss the program’s vital role in helping low-income households and protecting public health.
HHS staff were interested in the scope of the water affordability challenge and how unaffordable water services affect households, including spillover impacts on issues important to HHS such as supporting children and families. Contact: Kristina Surfus
Water Affordability Legislation Introduced in the House
U.S. Reps. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.) and Robert Bresnahan (R-Pa.) last week introduced H.R. 4733, the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Establishment Act.
This bipartisan legislation would permanently establish a federal low-income water assistance program for families struggling to access affordable drinking water and wastewater services. Its bipartisan reintroduction this Congress has recently been a top priority for NACWA and its water sector partners that have been working collaboratively via a coalition to promote the bill. This legislative proposal would permanently authorize the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), established by Congress in 2020 to promote public health by easing the financial burden on families struggling to afford monthly water bills. Over its several years of operation, the temporary LIHWAP program proved to be a critical lifeline, allowing more than 1.6 million households across 49 states and numerous tribes and territories to maintain water and wastewater services in the face of economic hardship.
However, the program expired at the end of 2023, leaving low-income families nationwide at risk of losing access to essential water services. This new legislation would support communities as they invest in critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades by helping support water affordability long-term.
Last Congress, Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) introduced the Senate companion to H.R. 4733, and he is expected to re-introduce the bill in the coming months. NACWA and its coalition partners are working to support Senate reintroduction, including securing a Republican co-sponsor. NACWA will continue working with Congress and other stakeholders to build support for advancing the bill. NACWA applauds recent member utility engagement that helped secure new support for the House bill.
Water sector organizations and municipal organizations also endorsed the House version of the LIHWAP Establishment Act. The sector is proud to support the new House legislation and looks forward to continuing to work together to support public health, economic fairness and the ability to access clean water. Contact: Kaitlyn Montán
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation last week advancing a broad set of Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting reforms. The “PERMIT Act” would make more than a dozen changes to the Clean Water Act.
During floor debate, Republicans mostly described the legislation as a package of common-sense reforms intended to accelerate permitting timelines and provide greater regulatory certainty for infrastructure projects. Democrats, by contrast, argued the bill could undermine environmental protections, while potentially increasing water pollution risks.
While NACWA has not endorsed the full permitting package — due in part to several provisions that primarily benefit certain industrial interests — the Association has been actively involved in drafting certain provisions that would help streamline public clean water utilities’ activities under the Clean Water Act, enabling them to better and more affordably serve their communities while protecting public health and the environment.
The three major provisions supported by NACWA are:
The Water Quality Standards Attainability Act (H.R. 3934), introduced by Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), would help utilities address affordability concerns by requiring states, during triennial reviews, to ensure that water quality standards applicable to waterbodies receiving combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges allow for the use of cost-effective CSO controls, consistent with the CSO Control Policy and CWA Section 402(q). The bill also directs EPA to include information on treatment technologies and implementation costs when developing recommended water quality criteria under CWA Section 304(a).
The Confidence in Clean Water Permits Act (H.R. 3897), introduced by Rep. Dave Taylor (R-Ohio), would codify the clean water sector’s Supreme Court victory in San Francisco v. EPA by requiring that NPDES permits include only clear, objective compliance obligations. The bill would also clarify the scope of the CWA’s “permit shield” by codifying EPA’s longstanding policy protecting good-faith permit holders from liability for pollutants not expressly listed in a permit, provided the relevant waste streams were disclosed during the permitting process — an important protection for utilities facing emerging contaminants not yet subject to water quality standards.
The Water Quality Criteria Development and Transparency Act (H.R. 3888), introduced by Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah), would establish a more transparent and accountable process for developing EPA’s recommended water quality criteria under CWA Section 304(a), including notice-and-comment requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act and limited judicial review. These reforms would help ensure meaningful stakeholder engagement and improve EPA’s responsiveness to legitimate technical and implementation concerns.
The legislation will now head to the Senate, and NACWA will continue to engage with Congress and stakeholders as the bill advances. NACWA will keep members informed while advocating for Clean Water Act reforms that prioritize clean water utilities and the needs of local communities. Contact: Matt McKenna
Senate Report: Labeling Standards Cut Infrastructure Costs for Clean Water Utilities
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation recently issued its formal report on S. 1092, the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act, underscoring a bipartisan commitment to tackling the widespread challenges non-flushable wipes pose to the nation’s wastewater systems.
The committee’s report highlights the bill’s goal of establishing uniform national “Do Not Flush” labeling standards for non-flushable wipes. The committee found that inconsistent labeling practices have caused confusion among consumers and contributed to significant operational and maintenance costs for utilities.
Directly referencing NACWA’s Cost of Wipes on America’s Clean Water Utilities Report, the Committee noted that wipes contribute $441 million per year in additional operating costs to clean water utilities. Importantly, the Committee concluded that compliance costs for wipes manufacturers to meet the new standards are “expected to be minimal. It is believed that such expenses will be outweighed by decreased operational costs for wastewater systems.”
NACWA applauds the Committee’s thorough work and the bill’s continued momentum in the Senate. NACWA will continue engaging Senate and House offices as the WIPPES Act moves toward final passage. Contact: Danielle Cloutier
House Approves Bill to Review EPA Water Technical Assistance Programs
The U.S. House of Representatives this week approved bipartisan legislation to strengthen oversight of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) programs that help communities access federal funding for critical water infrastructure projects.
The Water Resources Technical Assistance Review Act (H.R. 3427), introduced by Rep. David Taylor (R-Ohio) and Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Ala.), directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive review of EPA’s WaterTA initiative. The program, launched under the Biden Administration, is intended to reduce barriers for small, rural, tribal, and economically distressed communities in securing federal grants and loans for wastewater and drinking water upgrades.
Under the legislation, GAO would have one year to evaluate EPA’s technical assistance programs, including how eligible communities are selected, and report recommendations on how to improve the program back to Congress. NACWA worked closely with Rep. Taylor’s office to also require GAO to evaluate how WaterTA can help communities explore and adopt cost-effective, alternative treatment technologies that deliver long-term savings and improve water quality outcomes. The bill passed the House by voice vote and now awaits Senate consideration. Contact: Matt McKenna
House Advances National Wipes Labeling Legislation
The U.S. House of Representatives this week passed the bipartisan Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act (H.R. 2269). The bill, led by Reps. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) and Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), now awaits passage by the full U.S. Senate.
H.R. 2269 would require standardized, national “do not flush” labeling for non-flushable wipes. The bill closely mirrors legislation that has been enacted in several states and would bring nationwide consistency to the marketplace. The bill, which has been an important NACWA advocacy priority, is supported by a wide coalition of stakeholders including the clean water utility community, the wipes manufacturing sector and environmental and consumer advocate organizations.
In a statement, Reps. McClain and Mullin lauded the bill as “common-sense legislation” that will protect water infrastructure.
“This common-sense, practical legislation will prevent rate hikes and protect water infrastructure. I am proud to lead this legislation and call on the Senate to quickly pass it,” McClain said.
“Improper disposal of wet wipes damages wastewater infrastructure, costing California utilities and consumers tens of millions of dollars a year. That’s why water professionals nationwide strongly support the WIPPES Act, which mandates clear ‘Do Not Flush’ labeling,” Mullin said. “This common-sense legislation is a critical step in protecting our infrastructure and the environment. By providing consumers with clearer guidance, the WIPPES Act will help reduce strain on our wastewater systems and safeguard taxpayer resources. I am pleased to see this bipartisan, bicameral legislation move forward.”
Last month, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved the Senate companion to H.R. 2269, S. 1092. There are slight differences between the House and Senate bills that Congress will need to reconcile. Both chambers will need to pass the same version so it can be signed into law. NACWA will continue to work with Congress and other stakeholders toward this goal.
NACWA applauds recent member engagement to ensure the advancement of the bill. The Association has been advocating for state and national wipes labeling legislation and flushability standards for many years and is pleased to see this momentum around a federal bill. NACWA also thanks the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) for its partnership in working to advance the legislation. Contact: Kaitlyn Montán