A bipartisan U.S. House proposal introduced last week would authorize over $10 billion over five years to help communities address PFAS and other emerging contaminants through the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRF). The Protect Clean Water Act (H.R. 10869) would continue, but reshapes, the federal support that came through the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which expired September 30.
What’s in the Legislation
Under the bill, annual funding for PFAS mitigation in the Drinking Water SRF would rise from the earlier $100 million per year (2020–2024) to $1 billion per year (2027–2031)—a substantial increase that more closely reflects the scale of compliance challenges utilities face under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2024 PFAS standards. A parallel grant-only program within the Clean Water SRF would direct another $1 billion annually toward wastewater treatment needs related to emerging contaminants, with 25% of funding set aside for small and disadvantaged communities. All funds must be allocated using each state’s existing priority-setting framework, and none may be used to back tax‑exempt bonds.
Compliance Deadlines and Costs
The bill’s proposed federal investments align with the EPA’s timeline requiring utilities to meet new PFAS limits by 2029, with a possible extension to 2031. However, the cost burden for local communities remains far larger than available federal support. The American Water Works Association estimates that more than 7,000 drinking water entry points will require capital upgrades, with nationwide costs ranging from $37.1 billion to $48.3 billion through 2029 and annualized operational expenses reaching $2.7–3.5 billion. Municipal leaders in Georgia and across the country continue to raise concerns about affordability as communities race to meet regulatory deadlines.
What’s Next
Though the Protect Clean Water Act only authorizes—not appropriates—funds, it signals continued bipartisan support for PFAS mitigation and positions Congress to maintain a federal role in water infrastructure financing. Should appropriators follow through, the bill would provide meaningful, though still insufficient, help to local governments navigating growing treatment costs, new regulatory requirements and long-term system planning.
Funding would still depend on Congress. When lawmakers return after the November election with new political dynamics, they will need to negotiate a full-year appropriations deal or pass another stop-gap extension of current federal funding. Funding authorized by bills like the Protect Clean Water Act still requires Congress to pass long-term appropriations to fund local projects.
GMA, alongside the National League of Cities, will continue to advocate for timely passage of federal funding to ensure local governments have the resources they need to address current and future infrastructure challenges.