Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) CEO Tom Dobbins released the following statement on the House of Representatives’ draft FY26 Interior-Environment appropriations bill:
“The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund is the backbone of federal infrastructure assistance for water systems, providing critical resources to help maintain compliance with drinking water standards. While the House’s FY26 appropriations bill avoids the most extreme SRF cuts proposed in the president’s budget request, its 20 percent reduction to DWSRF funding would undoubtedly restrict water systems’ already strained budgets and ability to maintain current levels of service. AMWA supports fully funding the DWSRF but at a minimum, Congress should avoid any cuts in a final appropriations package.
While the cuts to the DWSRF program must be addressed, AMWA is grateful that the draft appropriations bill would preserve FY25 funding levels for other important water infrastructure programs, including the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan program, Reducing Lead in Drinking Water grants, and the Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program. AMWA appreciates the committee’s ongoing commitment to these programs, and we will continue to work with Congress to advance critical investments in our nation’s water infrastructure.”
