Rep. Sykes Leads Bipartisan Push for Safe, Reliable Water for Communities

Rep. Sykes Leads Bipartisan Push for Safe, Reliable Water for Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) is leading a bipartisan group of lawmakers in calling on Congress to fund critical water infrastructure programs to ensure communities nationwide have safe, reliable water. Aging infrastructure and growing demand threaten access and reliability, making these investments essential as lawmakers draft the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

In a bipartisan letter to subcommittee leadership, Reps. Sykes and her colleagues stressed that modern water systems are vital for public health, economic growth, and national security.

"Closing the water utility funding gap will require sustained, innovative investment strategies to strengthen system resilience, address extreme weather risks, and ensure utilities can maintain safe and reliable service. Without long-term capital planning and funding certainty, utilities will struggle to meet growing demand for clean, safe, and reliable water and wastewater services." wrote the lawmakers.

"Moreover, affordability remains a pressing issue. The EPA's Water Affordability Needs Assessment estimates that between 12.1 million and 19.2 million households across the United States struggle with the rising costs of water services," the lawmakers stated.

In their letter, the lawmakers specifically requested the below funding from programs in the FY27 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill:

• A minimum of $4.89 billion for the Clean Water and $4.38 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs);
• $280 million for the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant Program;
• $80 million for activities carried out under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA); and
• $50 million for the Household Decentralized Wastewater System Grants;

This letter was signed by 31 bipartisan members of Congress and is supported by the following organizations: American Rivers Action Fund, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, National Resources Defense Council, Water Environment Federation, American Council of Engineering Companies, National Municipal Stormwater Alliance, Water for People, Clean Water Construction Coalition, Protect Kids from Lead Coalition, Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated, & Clean Water Action.

The letter is available here.