Warnock, Moran Launch Bipartisan Effort to Protect Community Water Supplies and Improve Drought Resilience

Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jerry Moran introduced legislation that would establish a new office of water supply, water conservation, and drought resiliency at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The Securing America's Water Supply Act would ensure communities have access to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' drought resilience and water supply expertise, strengthening the nation's ability to protect valuable water resources and address water supply challenges while improving coordination between the Corps and local communities

Senator Warnock: "A resilient water supply is crucial to the future of Georgia's families, farmers, and businesses, and this new office will help provide communities the tools they need to protect this vital resource and build long-term drought resiliency"

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced bipartisan legislation to establish an office of water supply, water conservation, and drought resiliency within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help communities meet their long-term water needs and address new water supply challenges posed by drought and aging infrastructure. This new office will centralize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' drought resilience and water supply expertise, ensuring local communities have access to critical water supply resources and support to tackle future opportunities and challenges.

"Our bipartisan bill will help Georgia communities, state agencies, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers work together to better address and manage our water resources responsibly," said Senator Warnock. "A resilient water supply is crucial to the future of Georgia's families, farmers, and businesses, and this new office will help provide communities the tools they need to protect this vital resource and build long-term drought resiliency."

"Establishing a dedicated Office of Water Supply, Water Conservation and Drought Resiliency will strengthen the Army Corps of Engineers' mission of addressing water supply needs and support efforts to improve water availability and drought resilience," said Senator Moran. "This new office will improve coordination with states and local partners, helping them access the authorities, programs and technical resources needed to make certain communities in Kansas and across the country have a reliable and sustainable water supply."

"This bill delivers critical support to the Corps of Engineers, strengthening its ability to support the water utilities that provide clean, reliable drinking water to people and businesses across metro Atlanta," said Danny Johnson, Managing Director of the Atlanta Regional Commission's Natural Resources Department (ARC). "The Office of Water Supply gives the Corps the resources it needs to meet the Atlanta region's water needs, now and into the future."

"Our nation's water supply is at the core of our prosperity as it is vital for human life, industry, and agriculture," said Brad Burnett, Chairman of the National Water Supply Alliance (NWSA). "Establishment of an Office of Water Supply, Water Conservation, and Drought Resiliency within the US Army Corps of Engineers will provide the focus needed within the federal government to support states and regional sponsors across the nation in maintaining and managing existing water supplies and developing new ones for the future."

Senator Warnock has long fought to implement lasting improvements to water supply infrastructure in Georgia. In June 2024, following a series of catastrophic water main breaks that left hundreds of thousands of Atlanta residents and local businesses without water services, Senator Warnock led a bicameral effort to secure nearly $1 million in federal funding to address chronic water infrastructure problems plaguing communities across Georgia. Senator Warnock was joined in this effort by Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-GA-05).

The Securing America's Water Supply Act is supported by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and the National Water Supply Alliance (NWSA).

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