Washington, D.C.-U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in introducing two bills to strengthen water infrastructure, improve wildfire preparedness and expand access to critical resources for Idaho communities.

The legislation includes the FIRE SMART Act, which would provide states additional flexibility to support drinking water infrastructure projects that also improve wildfire suppression capabilities in high-risk rural communities, and the Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act of 2026, which would update the formula used to distribute Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) funding to states for the first time since the program was created.

"Idaho's communities rely on strong and reliable water infrastructure, whether it is delivering safe drinking water, maintaining clean waterways or improving preparedness for increasingly severe wildfire seasons," said Crapo. "These bills would help to modernize outdated federal policies and provide states greater flexibility to address local infrastructure needs."

"Idaho's small and rural communities often face significant infrastructure challenges with limited resources. These bills would provide qualifying communities with greater flexibility and better align clean water funding through the State Revolving Fund to address Idaho's infrastructure needs. DEQ appreciates Senator Crapo's effort to advance practical solutions that support Idaho communities." - Jess Byrne, Director, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality

FIRE SMART Act of 2026

The Firefighting Infrastructure for Rural and Exurban Smaller Municipalities Augmenting Residential Fuels Treatments (FIRE SMART) Act would direct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to amend Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) rules that currently exclude projects needed primarily for fire protection. The legislation would create a narrowly tailored exception for certain drinking water infrastructure projects that provide both drinking water and wildfire suppression benefits in rural communities at high risk of wildfire.

Eligible projects could include improvements to water storage, distribution capacity and water pressure that support everyday drinking water needs while also enhancing local firefighting capabilities. The bill does not authorize new federal spending or alter existing funding allocations.

Crapo is joined on the FIRE SMART Act by Senators Alex Padilla (D-California), John Curtis (R-Utah), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Adam Schiff (D-California) and Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon).

Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act of 2026

The Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act of 2026 would replace the current CWSRF allotment formula, which has remained unchanged since 1987, with a transparent, needs-based formula developed through recommendations from a Government Accountability Office (GAO) expert panel.

Under the updated formula, CWSRF capitalization grants would be distributed based on a combination of state clean water infrastructure needs, population and economic factors. EPA estimates more than $630 billion in clean water investments will be needed nationwide over the next 20 years.

According to GAO analysis using 2022 data, Idaho would receive approximately 50.5 percent more annual clean water funding under the modernized formula. The legislation also includes transition protections for states, preserves existing funding allocated for tribes and territories, protects Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocations and supports improved data collection to better identify infrastructure needs in small and rural communities.

Crapo joined Senators Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) and Rick Scott (R-Florida) in introducing the bill.

Read the full text of the FIRE SMART Act here.

Read the full text of the Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act of 2026 here.