Key Takeaways

  • A bipartisan bill aimed at improving water infrastructure such as ports, waterways, flood control, and storm protection passed unanimously in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday.
  • The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 authorizes $14 billion over four years for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $16.5 billion over five years for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and adds 133 new feasibility studies for locally proposed water infrastructure projects.
  • The National League of Cities said in a June 30 letter to the committee that the legislation is "critical to helping communities build, maintain, and improve this vital infrastructure while boosting national and local economic growth."

Deep Dive

Through the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), Congress authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement water infrastructure projects that originate at the local level. Since 2014, Congress has passed a bipartisan WRDA bill every two years.

The 2026 bill includes several policy adjustments aimed at accelerating water infrastructure projects, such as giving local stakeholders a greater voice in feasibility studies and helping them access Army Corps resources to initiate projects. The bill also directs the Corps to establish offices with expertise in inland navigation, alternative delivery, water supply, and technical assistance. The National Association of Counties said this would "improve communication and partnerships between the Corps and non-federal sponsors."

David LaFrance, CEO of the American Water Works Association, said the bill "is a positive step toward strengthening federal partnerships and sustaining safe and reliable water services."

The American Water Works Association's 2026 State of the Water Industry survey found that water professionals are concerned about their ability to respond to aging infrastructure and climate disruptions. In another report, the association concluded that over the next 25 years, communities will need to invest between $2.1 trillion and $2.4 trillion to replace aging drinking water infrastructure, meet regulatory requirements, address cybersecurity threats, and enhance resilience.

In addition to advancing this bill, the National League of Cities and other local and water stakeholders are urging Congress to maintain the five-year supplemental water infrastructure funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which expires on September 30, and to reauthorize grant and technical assistance programs for PFAS, lead pipes, and other water infrastructure projects in fiscal year 2027.

Carolyn Berndt, legislative director for sustainability at the National League of Cities, wrote in a May 15 blog post: "With infrastructure law funding expiring and the President's proposed cuts to water infrastructure projects in fiscal year 2027, cities and states are facing a potential funding cliff in meeting local needs for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure."