Senate EPW Committee Advances Bipartisan Reauthorization of State Revolving Funds
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works unanimously approved the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, reauthorizing the nation's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. The bipartisan action ensures baseline subsidized federal financing for public wastewater treatment and drinking water upgrades across the country. Water sector groups praised the legislation as essential for helping municipalities manage escalating capital improvement costs.
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) unanimously advanced the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, which contains crucial provisions reauthorizing the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs. These federal-state financing mechanisms serve as the primary source of low-interest federal loans and principal forgiveness for local water and wastewater infrastructure investments.
Industry organizations, including the US Water Alliance, celebrated the unanimous committee support, emphasizing that continued SRF authorizations are vital as utilities confront aging conveyance networks, strict regulatory targets, and system expansion requirements. The legislation establishes multi-year funding targets aimed at preserving municipal balance sheets while modernizing treatment plants.
The measure now heads to the full Senate floor for consideration. Water resource managers and advocates are urging prompt congressional passage to ensure continuous financing flows to community water projects without legislative interruption.
House Passes WRDA 2026 with Support for Sonoma County
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, which includes a specific authorization for $60 million in water and wastewater infrastructure funding for Sonoma and Marin counties in California.
Source: Sonoma Sun
North Carolina State Water Infrastructure Authority Awards New Funding
The North Carolina State Water Infrastructure Authority approved funding for various drinking water, wastewater, and PFAS-related projects. The awards were finalized during a July 2026 meeting to support state-wide infrastructure needs.
Source: NC Department of Environmental Quality
Coalition Urges Strong Federal Funding for Water Infrastructure
A coalition led by the American Public Works Association (APWA) is advocating for robust federal funding for water infrastructure, citing the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026. The proposed legislation aims to reauthorize and increase funding for both Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds through 2030.
Source: APWA
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