This week marks an important milestone for communities, utilities, businesses, and advocates working to strengthen our nation’s water infrastructure.
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) has unanimously approved the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, which reauthorizes the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) – the nation’s primary federal financing programs for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
After nearly two years of coordinated advocacy through the Value of Water Campaign‘s (VOW) United for Water initiative, this represents meaningful progress toward securing the long-term investments communities need.
The legislation received strong bipartisan support – a powerful signal that investing in America’s water infrastructure continues to be an issue that brings lawmakers together from both sides of the aisle. While there are still several steps before the bill becomes law, this support provides important momentum as the legislation moves to the House for consideration.
This bill would authorize SRF programs for another four years, increase funding above pre-Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) levels, reauthorize the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA), and strengthen several water infrastructure and technical assistance programs.
It includes increased authorization levels for both the Drinking Water and Clean Water SRFs through Fiscal Year 2030, as well as investments in emerging priorities such as digital infrastructure for rural and Tribal water systems, water workforce development, cybersecurity, resilience, and assistance for small and disadvantaged communities. The legislation also continues to support eligible investments through SRF programs that address lead service line replacement, emerging contaminants, and PFAS.
Current proposed funding levels include:
Drinking Water SRF:
- $3.75 billion for FY27
- $4 billion for FY28
- $4.25 billion for FY29
- $4.5 billion for FY30
Clean Water SRF:
- $3.5 billion annually for FY27 – FY30
WIFIA:
- $65 million annually for FY27 – FY30
While there is much to celebrate, our work is not yet finished.
With the House version of WRDA legislation also having passed unanimously out of Committee, the legislation will now enter negotiations over the differences between the House and the Senate versions. With the Senate version’s inclusion of all the SRF provisions, those will provide a strong starting point for the negotiations this summer. And while this bill establishes authorized funding levels and extends these critical programs, Congress must still provide annual appropriations to continue these investments.
Continued engagement from the entire water and infrastructure sectors will be essential to maintain this momentum and ensure these programs receive the funding communities need.
VOW remains committed to working alongside partners, coalition members, and congressional champions to advance this legislation and advocate for robust, sustained investment in our nation’s water infrastructure. VOW’s recently released report, Tapping Potential: The Economic Benefits of Investing in Water Infrastructure, highlights the strong economic case for sustained federal investment in water infrastructure as well as the multiple benefits these investments deliver to communities nationwide.
This progress reflects growing bipartisan recognition that investing in water infrastructure is an investment in public health, economic prosperity, and the resilience of our communities.
