Press Releases

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) led a group of bipartisan House members in the introduction of the Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act, legislation that would fund upgrades to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure to make them more resilient against threats ranging from cyberattacks to extreme weather. 

“It goes without saying that safe, reliable water infrastructure is essential for everyone’s wellbeing,” said Rep. Carbajal. “However, the systems that deliver our drinking water and flush out wastewater are vulnerable to a multitude of threats. This bipartisan bill is a bold investment in securing our water infrastructure to ensure it remains functional for years to come.”

The lawmakers joining Carbajal in reintroducing the Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act are Representatives David Valadao (R-CA-22), Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA-02), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02), and Brian Mast (R-FL-21). 

“In the Central Valley, clean and reliable water is critical to our farms, families, and small businesses, but aging infrastructure, extreme weather, and even cyber threats puts our water systems at risk,” said Rep. Valadao. “This bipartisan bill reauthorizes critical programs to increase our resiliency and ensure our utilities have the necessary resources to continue operations, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in support.”

“My constituents in Louisiana live on the front lines of the climate crisis and understand the importance of resilient water infrastructure more than most. Generations have seen firsthand how strong levees, pumps, and drainage systems make the difference between safety and devastation. Investing in resilient water infrastructure is not just about protection; it’s about preserving our way of life. That’s why I’m proud to support the Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act. This bill ensures that local water systems have the resources they need to modernize aging infrastructure and keep homes and businesses safe,” said Rep. Troy A. Carter, Sr.

“Every family deserves safe, reliable water, and in South Jersey we know how quickly storms, flooding, or aging systems can put that at risk. We’ve seen what happens when pipes break or when infrastructure can’t keep up with severe weather. This bill gives our water systems the chance to compete for funding to strengthen their infrastructure, upgrade outdated technology, and even guard against new threats like cyberattacks. I am proud to join my colleagues in leading this bill,” said Rep. Van Drew. 

“The Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act is a crucial step in ensuring that our drinking water and wastewater utilities have the needed resources to tackle natural disasters and potential cybersecurity risks. This legislation is long overdue, as our aging water systems risk both economic and environmental consequences if not addressed,” said Rep. Mast.

The legislation would reauthorize the following three water infrastructure resilience programs for five years (Fiscal Year 2027-2031), at current authorization levels:

1. Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program
• Safe Drinking Water Act section 1459A(l). This program, authorized for $25 million, awards grants to eligible entities for the purpose of increasing resilience to natural hazards including earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and hydrologic changes.
2. Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program
• Safe Drinking Water Act section 1459F. This program, authorized for $50 million per year, awards grants to eligible entities for the purpose of increasing resilience to hazards, extreme weather events, and reducing cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
3. Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program
• Clean Water Act section 223. This program, authorized for $25 million per year, awards grants to eligible entities for the purpose of planning, designing, or constructing projects that increase the resilience of a publicly owned treatment works to natural hazards or cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent Clean Watersheds Needs Survey and Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment, the United States will have to spend at least $1.25 trillion over twenty years to meet the nation’s water infrastructure needs. Aging water infrastructure as well as human-made and naturally occurring disasters can impact the ability of water and wastewater utilities to function, particularly in the face of increasingly erratic and extreme weather. Cyber threats are also increasing across critical infrastructure sectors in the U.S., including for water and wastewater systems, according to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Continued funding for the nation’s water, wastewater, and stormwater agencies to undertake resilience projects helps to meet the urgent need to safeguard water sector critical infrastructure.

The bill has the endorsement of the National Municipal Stormwater Alliance, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and American Rivers Action Fund.

“NMSA believes that investments to strengthen the resiliency of Publicly Owned Treatment Works, including stormwater infrastructure, are essential to ensuring the continued delivery of critical Clean Water services in the face of the anticipated increase in frequency and scale of natural hazards. Thank you Representatives Carbajal, Mast, Carter, Van Drew, and Valadao for introducing this important legislation to support these efforts," said Seth Brown, Ph.D., PE, National Municipal Stormwater Alliance (NMSA) Executive Director.

“The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies applauds Representatives Carbajal, Mast, Carter, Van Drew, and Valadao for their leadership in ensuring that our nation’s water supply, water system infrastructure, and cyber infrastructure are safeguarded from future threats. The Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act will ensure that our drinking water and wastewater utilities have the resources to address floods, droughts, and cyber security risks. This is crucial for reducing the vulnerability of water service to disruptions that would carry severe economic and public health consequences,” said Tom Dobbins, CEO, The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies.

“NACWA applauds Representatives Carbajal, Mast, Carter, Van Drew, and Valadao for introducing the Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act of 2025. Reauthorizing the Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program will help ensure continued federal support for projects that help utilities withstand natural disasters and cyber threats,” said Adam Kranz, CEO of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA).

“The Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act is a forward-looking investment in our communities and river health. By helping local governments modernize aging water systems, this bipartisan bill delivers relief to families and strengthens our economy. We applaud Representatives Carbajal, Mast, Carter, Van Drew, and Valadao for their leadership in taking steps to ensure that our water infrastructure is affordable, resilient, and supports healthy rivers for generations to come,” said Tom Kiernan, President and CEO, American Rivers Action Fund.