Senate Releases Major Water Policy Package, Action Needed to Save Water Reuse Grant Funding
Date: July 24, 2026
On July 13, 2026, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee released its Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)...
Senate Releases Major Water Policy Package, Action Needed to Save Water Reuse Grant Funding
Date: July 24, 2026
On July 13, 2026, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee released its Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, which reauthorizes and modifies major portions of the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act, as well as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers policies and projects. The WateReuse Association has been working for many months to secure the reauthorization of the Pilot Program for Alternative Water Source Grants, the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Programs, and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program, all of which expire at the end of this year. The Senate bill authorizes Congress to provide the following funding amounts over the next four years:
- Clean Water SRF: $3.5 billion per year for FY 2027-2030
- Drinking Water SRF1: $3.75 billion for FY 2027, $4 billion for FY 2028, $4.25 billion for FY 2029, and $4.5 billion for FY 2030
- Pilot Program for Alternative Water Source Grants: $5 million per year for FY 2027-2030
- WIFIA: $65 million per year for FY 2027-2030
It is important to note that the funding authorizations provided in the bill are not direct appropriations, but rather authorizations for congressional appropriators to provide up to the specified amount for each program. While we are thrilled that the Senate bill reauthorizes the Pilot Program for Alternative Water Source Grants, the authorized funding amount of $5 million per year limits our ability to grow the program over the next four years. We urge Congress to reauthorize the program at its previously authorized level of $25 million per year.
Action Needed
As Congress works to reauthorize these important programs, the FY 2027 appropriations process is proceeding in parallel. The House Interior and Environment Appropriations bill for FY 2027 includes $5 million for Alternative Water Source Grants. WateReuse is working to secure this amount in the final FY 2027 appropriations package later this year. Should we succeed, we would aim to increase funding for the program to $7.5 million or more in FY 2028. The Senate WRDA bill, however, limits funding authority to $5 million per year. Without room to grow, the impact of this nationwide competitive grants program will be limited.
There is still time to secure a higher funding authorization, but we need your help to make it happen. Once the Senate EPW Committee debates and passes its bill, the legislation may go to the full Senate for consideration; or the Committee may instead negotiate behind closed doors with the relevant committees in the U.S. House of Representatives, aiming to reach a bipartisan, bicameral agreement before bringing the legislation back to the full House and Senate.
How to Take Action
In the Senate: Call or write your senators and urge them to press the Senate EPW Committee to increase the authorized funding level for the Pilot Program for Alternative Water Source Grants (Sec. 2202 of the Senate bill) in WRDA 2026. Explain that the Senate bill reauthorizes the program, which is good, but that the authorized funding amount leaves no room for growth. Ask your senators to help authorize $25 million per year for the program.
In the House of Representatives: Call or write your representative/s, note that the Senate WRDA bill reauthorizes the Pilot Program for Alternative Water Source Grants but that the authorized funding amount is not sufficient, and urge them to work to secure an authorization of $25 million per year as the House negotiates with the Senate. Note that the House Interior and Environment Appropriations bill for FY 2027 already provides the full $5 million.
- Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to reach your Members of Congress.
- Ask for the staffer who handles water issues. Leaving a message is fine! Describe the impact that federal cost-share for water reuse projects could have in the communities you serve.
- You can also use this template letter if you prefer to send an email rather than calling.
For more information or to prepare before you make your ask, contact Greg Fogel at gfogel@watereuse.org or 805-570-3038. Thank you!
Background on the Pilot Program for Alternative Water Source Grants
The Pilot Program for Alternative Water Source Grants was first funded in FY 2026. Once implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it will be the first nationwide program dedicated to helping communities develop alternative water supplies. Through the program, EPA will provide 50 percent cost-share grants to state, interstate, and intrastate water resource development agencies to engineer, design, construct, and test alternative water source systems, including water reuse systems.
1 The funding provided by the Senate bill for the Drinking Water SRF covers both traditional SRF projects as well as projects that (1) address emerging contaminants including PFAS, (2) replace lead service lines, and (3) suppress wildfire while simultaneously improving drinking water service.
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