Pappas, Fong Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Water Infrastructure and Communities

This week Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20), members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced the Water Infrastructure Resiliency Act. This bipartisan bill empowers communities to modernize their water management systems by adopting cutting-edge technologies like advanced monitoring software, leak detection tools, and real-time data dashboards. These innovations help track and manage water resources more effectively, conserving water, improving efficiency, and reducing costs.

“As we continue prioritizing the modernization of critical water infrastructure, this legislation will ensure our state and local governments can use every tool available to do so effectively and efficiently,” said Congressman Pappas. “I’ll continue working to deliver federal resources to New Hampshire that will help improve our infrastructure and strengthen our communities.”

“Water is life in California’s Central Valley,” said Congressman Fong. “I’m introducing this vital legislation to strengthen community resilience and ensure our water infrastructure is built with modern technology to better manage and protect this precious resource. Continuous investment in water storage and innovation is essential for the wellbeing for our families, farmers, and future generations. We must act now to equip our communities with the tools they need to safeguard our water supply for years to come."

The Water Infrastructure Resiliency Act would clarify eligible uses under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), ensuring local governments can not only protect both public health and water resources more effectively, but also reduce costs. Clarifying language in the CWSRF to ensure eligibility for modern software tools allows the program to keep pace with today’s challenges, bringing the fund into the 21st century and equipping communities with every available tool to modernize infrastructure and secure long-lasting and efficient water systems.

Specifically, the Water Infrastructure Resiliency Act: 

• Facilitates the use of digital construction software programs to optimize and streamline planning and operations, helping communities prioritize resources and investments.
• Saves money and enhances conservation by allowing communities to use technology that identifies leaks, forecast usage, and detects and removes pollutants like PFAS and microplastics.
• Supports drought-response strategies; critical for drought-stricken, wildfire-prone regions.
• Empowers states to better leverage federal dollars for water efficiency and conservation, reducing strain on taxpayers while protecting vital resources.

You can read the full bill text here.

By clarifying eligibility for advanced software and monitoring tools, the Water Infrastructure Resiliency Act will bring the CWSRF into the 21st century, helping communities modernize infrastructure, improve water efficiency, and secure sustainable, long-term water systems. This clarification will also empower states to maximize federal dollars, and drive innovation while reducing strain on taxpayers and safeguarding vital resources.

With these enhancements, communities will have cutting-edge capabilities to detect and remove harmful pollutants like PFAS and microplastics before they spread – protecting both the environment and public health for generations to come. 

The Water Infrastructure Resiliency Act is supported by the National Association of Counties (NACo).