Sponsors (41)
The bill provides predictable federal funding and direct aid to prevent water shutoffs and expand access for underserved communities, at the cost of $500M/year in federal spending and added administrative constraints that may limit flexibility and leave some tribal needs under-addressed.
Low-income households at risk of water/wastewater shutoffs will get direct assistance to pay arrearages, reducing service loss and financial strain.
States and tribes receive predictable federal funding ($500M/year for FY2026–2030) to support household water affordability programs, enabling more stable planning and sustained assistance.
Rural, underserved, and tribal communities gain targeted access to funds via grants to qualified nonprofits, improving equity of water access and addressing infrastructure gaps.
Taxpayers will fund $500 million per year for FY2026–2030, increasing federal expenditures and potentially crowding other budget priorities.
The 3% reservation cap for tribes may be insufficient to meet the scale of need and infrastructure shortfalls on many tribal lands, leaving some tribal households underserved.
States and nonprofit applicants face application, reporting, and compliance requirements that impose administrative burdens and could delay disbursement of funds to households.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a federal grant program to help low-income households pay water and wastewater arrearages and charges, with formula grants to States/tribes and grants to nonprofits.
Official title: To authorize the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 23, 2025 by Eric Sorensen · Last progress July 23, 2025
Creates a new federal Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program administered by HHS, in consultation with EPA, to award grants to States, Indian tribes, and qualified nonprofits to help low-income households pay past-due and ongoing water and wastewater bills. The bill defines eligibility, sets a formula for allotting funds to States and tribes, reserves funds for tribes and nonprofit outreach, requires technical assistance and non-supplanting, and authorizes $500 million per year for FY2026–2030.