Sen. Capito, Chair
Environment and Public Works Committee
410 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Rep. Guthrie, Chair
Energy and Commerce Committee
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Rep. Graves, Chair
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
2165 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Sen. Whitehouse, Ranking Member
Environment and Public Works Committee
410 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Rep. Pallone, Ranking Member
Energy and Commerce Committee
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Rep. Larsen, Ranking Member
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
2165 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairs and Ranking Members:
We, the undersigned organizations, are writing to urge Congress to maintain strong authorization levels for the federal programs that support the nation’s drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) and the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) and Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committees have advanced proposals to reauthorize many of these critical programs, including the Clean Water and Drinking Water state revolving loan funds (SRFs,) the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA), among others.
We appreciate the continued bipartisan attention to the nation’s water infrastructure needs. The Senate EPW unanimously advanced the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 (S 4949), which reauthorizes the Drinking Water SRF at $3.75 billion in fiscal year 2027, increasing to $4.5 billion by fiscal year 2030, and the Clean Water SRF at $3.5 billion annually through fiscal year 2030.
The House E&C has also released the Safe Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (DWIIA) of 2026 which includes reauthorization of the Drinking Water SRF, parts of WIFIA, and other critical programs. We appreciate the Committee’s work to reauthorize these important programs. However, the E&C draft currently proposes significantly lower funding for some of the nation’s core drinking water infrastructure programs.
As the House and Senate continue negotiations, Congress has an opportunity to build on recent bipartisan investments and provide states, communities, and utilities with the certainty necessary to address mounting infrastructure needs. Reauthorization should not represent a step backward from the progress Congress has already made.
We therefore urge Congress to support the highest authorization levels advanced by either chamber and, throughout the legislative process, provide the highest practicable level of federal investment for these critical programs.
Congress should prioritize robust funding for programs that help communities replace aging infrastructure, comply with federal drinking water requirements, address emerging contaminants, remove lead service lines, and assist small and disadvantaged communities.
Specifically, we urge Congress to authorize the following investments, in line with the levels of funding provided in FY26 through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and annual appropriations bills:
Additionally, we urge Congress to reauthorize EPA water infrastructure programs that ensure states and utilities have a broad menu of options to move projects forward. This includes reauthorizing the Public Water System Supervision Grant Program at $450 million1, which provides the core federal funding that enables states to implement the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development grant program, and other programs within the suite of State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG). A continued lack of adequate investment could undermine state primacy and shift oversight and enforcement responsibility back to the EPA.
Setting strong authorization levels would provide the certainty necessary for long-term planning and investment, strengthen the reliability of essential systems, support affordability for American households, and help communities meet federal requirements.
As the House and Senate move these proposals forward, we urge Congress to support the highest practicable authorized funding levels in a final reauthorization package. We appreciate your leadership and stand ready to work with you to ensure these programs are reauthorized at levels that meet the nation’s needs.
Sincerely,
American Public Works Association
American Society of Civil Engineers
Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies
Association of State Drinking Water Administrators
Clean Water Construction Coalition
National Association of Counties
National League of Cities
Protect Kids From Lead Coalition
United States Conference of Mayors
Water Environment Federation