Water sector presses Congress
Nearly 200 water professionals gathered in Washington for the American Water Works Association’s 'Water Matters' fly‑in to press Congress on infrastructure and policy priorities, and American Water took part in Water Week 2026’s national policy fly‑in. The events focused on treatment capability and funding needs for water systems. (prnewswire.com)
Water utilities and industry groups brought their funding case to Capitol Hill this week, with more than 195 water professionals in Washington to press Congress on pipes, treatment and affordability. (awwa.org) The American Water Works Association said its April 14-15 “Water Matters” fly-in asked lawmakers to fully fund and reauthorize the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act. The group also pushed Congress on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances liability, cybersecurity and low-income bill assistance. (awwa.org) Water Week 2026 ran April 12-18 in Washington, and its National Water Policy Fly-In on April 14-15 scheduled federal policy briefings on Tuesday and Capitol Hill meetings on Wednesday. American Water said it joined that fly-in and used the event to advocate for state revolving fund support and customer affordability. (waterweek.us ) (waterweek.us) (newsroom.amwater.com) The money fight is tied to the scale of the backlog. The American Water Works Association said in a new 2026 report that U.S. drinking water infrastructure and related needs will require $2.1 trillion to $2.4 trillion over the next 25 years. (awwa.org) Federal support is still flowing, but utilities are arguing it is not enough to match the repair list. The Environmental Protection Agency said in February that fiscal year 2025 allotments total $8.9 billion for states, tribes and territories through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. (epa.gov) Engineers continue to grade the sector poorly. The American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2025 infrastructure report card said drinking water earned a C-, wastewater earned a D+, and national drinking water needs reached $625 billion over 20 years in the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2023 assessment. (infrastructurereportcard.org) (asce.org) Treatment rules are adding pressure on utilities that already need to replace old mains and service lines. The Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 drinking water rule set enforceable limits for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, with initial monitoring due by 2027. (epa.gov) (federalregister.gov) Lead remains part of the funding argument too. The Environmental Protection Agency said more than 9 million lead service lines remain nationwide, and its fiscal year 2025 lead service line replacement allotments were updated with newer state inventory data. (infrastructurereportcard.org) (epa.gov) The water groups’ message in Washington was that Congress is deciding how much of this bill lands on federal programs and how much lands on monthly ratepayers. The lobbying week ends with the same basic ask it started with: more federal help before aging systems, new treatment mandates and affordability pressures collide. (awwa.org) (newsroom.amwater.com)
