Sens. Rick Scott, Mark Kelly Urge Colleagues to Join Bipartisan Effort to Modernize Clean Water Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, U.S. Senators Rick Scott and Mark Kelly sent a letter to impacted Senate colleagues inviting them to join the bipartisan Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act, and urge that this legislation be included in the Water Resources and Development Act of 2026.

The bill replaces the outdated, fixed percentage formula for distributing Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) grants with a transparent, needs-based formula that reflects current clean water infrastructure demands, state populations, and economic burden. The outdated distribution allotment hasn't been adjusted since 1987 and doesn't provide for each state's need and population growth.

Senators Scott and Kelly wrote, "Every year, the EPA distributes federal clean water infrastructure dollars using the same fixed percentages assigned to each state when the program was created. In other words, the nation's principal clean water infrastructure program is running on an outdated, unexplainable formula that no longer reflects the needs of the communities it is meant to serve."

The full letter can be found HERE.

BACKGROUND:

Each year the federal government gives grants through the CWSRF to help pay for clean water projects such as fixing old sewers, upgrading wastewater treatment plants, converting septic systems, managing stormwater, and protecting natural wetlands like the Everglades.

Florida's current allotment of 3.43 percent was set when the state's population was roughly 12 million; it now exceeds 23 million. Florida's clean water needs are substantial: the state faces ongoing challenges with aging wastewater infrastructure, septic-to-sewer conversions (particularly in the Indian River Lagoon and Biscayne Bay watersheds), nutrient management for Everglades restoration and Lake Okeechobee, stormwater management across rapidly urbanizing areas, and coastal resilience. Under the updated formula, Florida's allotment of the CWSRF grants would increase from 3.43 percent to approximately 6.16 percent after the 4-year transition.

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