Sponsors (16)
Official title: To establish a low-income water assistance program, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 13, 2026 by Rashida Tlaib · Last progress April 13, 2026
The bill expands and sustains large-scale federal assistance, data transparency, and targeted support to keep water service affordable—especially for low-income, tribal, and under-resourced communities—but does so at substantial federal cost and with new administrative burdens and reduced state/local flexibility that could complicate implementation.
Millions of low-income households (renters and homeowners) gain sustained direct financial assistance (bill discounts, payment plans, lifeline rates, and funds applied to customer accounts) to avoid water shutoffs and reduce household water debt.
Creates a federally administered EPA program with roughly $20 billion per year (FY2027–2037) dedicated to affordability, data, and technical assistance, providing a reliable funding stream for communities and utilities.
Nationwide data collection, a central EPA repository, and annual state-by-state reporting increase transparency and help target funding and oversight where needs are greatest.
The program's large recurring cost (about $20 billion per year) substantially increases federal outlays, risking higher deficits, pressure on taxpayers, or crowding out other priorities if appropriations are sustained.
Expanded reporting, enrollment, and data requirements will impose significant administrative and compliance costs on states and small/mid-size water systems, straining limited budgets and staff capacity.
Broader eligibility and expanded assistance may create demand that outpaces available funding if appropriations lapse, leaving some eligible households without help.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates an EPA-administered Low-Income Water Assistance Program and requires greater transparency, public participation, and EPA oversight of State intended use plans for water revolving funds.
Creates a federal Low-Income Water Assistance Program administered by EPA to help low-income households keep drinking water and sewer service, defines eligibility and key terms, and directs technical and outreach support for utilities and communities. Requires greater transparency and public participation in State revolving fund Intended Use Plans, new EPA regulations and reporting, and annual public state-by-state analyses of fund distribution and affordability metrics.