Sponsors (32)
The bill provides substantial, predictable federal aid to help low‑income and underserved households keep water service and reduces administrative barriers, but it increases federal spending and may leave some high‑need and tribal communities underfunded or create implementation complications.
Low-income households and state programs get predictable federal funding ($500 million per year for FY2026–2030) to help maintain household access to drinking water and wastewater services.
Low-income households will receive direct help paying water and wastewater arrearages and ongoing rates through grants to States, tribes, and qualified nonprofits.
States and tribes can reduce paperwork and speed access to assistance for qualifying households by using categorical eligibility and receiving data‑sharing technical assistance.
All taxpayers face higher federal spending to fund the program ($500 million/year), which may require trade‑offs with other budget priorities.
Some high‑need communities may be left out because the formula allotment is tied to poverty metrics that don't reflect local cost or service burdens.
Tribal communities with high water insecurity may receive insufficient support because the program limits tribal funding to a 3% set‑aside.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a federal grant program (HHS, with EPA input) funding state, tribal, and nonprofit assistance for low-income household water/wastewater bills and arrears, authorizing $500M/year FY2026–2030.
Creates a federal grant program run by the HHS Secretary, with consultation from the EPA Administrator, to help low-income households pay water and wastewater bills and arrears. Grants go to States and Indian tribes (and to qualified nonprofits for outreach/access); funds may not supplant existing assistance and are authorized at $500 million per year for FY2026–2030.
Introduced July 23, 2025 by Eric Sorensen · Last progress July 23, 2025