Sponsors (5)
The bill targets limited federal funding and research to improve advanced wastewater treatment and PFAS understanding—benefiting disadvantaged, rural, and tribal communities and increasing transparency—but requires substantial local cost‑sharing, may not fully meet national infrastructure needs, and delays actionable guidance while adding administrative complexity.
Low‑income residents, tribal communities, and rural communities will receive prioritized funding and a waiver of the 50% non‑Federal match for projects serving qualified disadvantaged communities, improving access to advanced wastewater treatment and local water quality.
A federally authorized $1 billion program (FY2026–2030) creates stable funding for advanced wastewater planning and construction, reducing year‑to‑year uncertainty for state and local governments.
Limits on administrative take‑aways (1% for EPA, 1% for states) mean more grant dollars flow to on‑the‑ground projects rather than overhead.
Local governments and project sponsors generally must provide at least 50% non‑Federal matching funds, which could delay or prevent projects in communities lacking capital.
The authorized $1 billion over five years may be insufficient relative to nationwide wastewater needs, leaving many projects unfunded or only partially financed.
Prioritizing 'qualified disadvantaged communities' through a 49% set‑aside could reduce priority for other needy projects, shifting resources away from communities that do not meet the definition.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Creates an EPA formula grant program authorizing $1B (FY2026–2030) for advanced wastewater treatment with a 50% match (waived for disadvantaged communities) and orders a National Academies study on nanomaterials and PFAS removal.
Introduced March 19, 2026 by Haley Stevens · Last progress March 19, 2026
Creates a new EPA formula grant program that gives each State money for advanced wastewater treatment projects and authorizes $1 billion for FY2026–FY2030. Grants generally require a 50% non-federal match (waived for qualified disadvantaged communities) and set aside at least 49% of funds to benefit disadvantaged, rural, small, tribal, or regional systems serving disadvantaged communities. Directs the EPA, with NIST consultation, to contract with the National Academies to study how well advanced wastewater technologies remove emerging contaminants, including nanomaterials and PFAS, and to publish an interim report in 3 years and a final report in 5 years after enactment.