Sponsors (2)
The bill directs targeted federal grants and training to modernize and secure rural and small water systems—boosting reliability, cybersecurity, and local capacity—while requiring modest recurring federal funding and risking gaps in coverage, ongoing vendor/operating costs, and compliance burdens for small utilities.
Rural communities will receive grants to install and maintain digital monitoring and control systems, improving water reliability and service for small systems.
Utilities and operators (including hospitals and regional health systems) will get funding for cybersecurity training and technical assistance, reducing the risk of cyber-attacks and service disruptions to water systems.
Project managers and utility staff will receive training and workforce development funding, expanding local capacity to operate and maintain modern water systems.
Many rural systems may still lack support because the program funds $50 million per year, which may be insufficient to cover nationwide digitalization needs.
Taxpayers will fund an ongoing $50 million per year (FY2027–FY2031), increasing federal spending and creating a recurring fiscal cost.
Grant-funded software acquisitions and systems could create vendor dependency and ongoing operating and maintenance costs for utilities after grant funding ends.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates an EPA grant program (FY2027–FY2031) authorizing $50M/year to fund digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and workforce training for rural and community-controlled water systems.
Introduced March 3, 2026 by John Boozman · Last progress March 3, 2026
Establishes an EPA-administered competitive grant program to help rural and community-controlled water systems adopt digital infrastructure (software, sensors, cybersecurity, workforce training, and related construction/operations). It authorizes $50 million per year for FY2027–FY2031 (available until expended), directs the EPA to prioritize very small systems (serving under 3,300 people) and community-controlled systems, and requires a Comptroller General study and report on digital transformation and program outcomes by December 31, 2030.