Rep. McDonald Rivet Leads Bipartisan Effort to Support Clean Water Infrastructure in Rural, Underserved Communities

FLINT- Today, Representatives Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), and Tony Wied (WI-08) announced the bipartisan Affordable Clean Water Infrastructure Act. This bill, supported by Republicans and Democrats, would promote clean water infrastructure projects in rural, low-income, and high-need communities.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a federal-state financing program that provides assistance for wastewater, stormwater, and water quality infrastructure projects. The Affordable Clean Water Infrastructure Act would strengthen the CWSRF by increasing the amount a state can contribute to reduce project costs for local communities and creating an additional subsidy for rural, small, and tribal water treatment projects.

"Everyone deserves to have clean water. Too often, rural, poor, and tribal communities can't afford important upgrades to their wastewater and stormwater systems," said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. "Our bipartisan bill unlocks important resources to ensure every family, regardless of their zip code, is supported by safe and reliable water infrastructure."

"Across the country, aging wastewater and stormwater systems go unmodernized simply because communities can't afford it, leaving families with the consequences-Congresswoman McDonald Rivet and I are committed to changing that," said Congressman Fitzpatrick. "Our bipartisan legislation frees up the state dollars already available, cutting costs for communities facing the greatest strain. By focusing support where it's most needed, long-delayed upgrades can finally move forward-with no new federal spending."

"Every community deserves clean, affordable, and reliable water infrastructure, whether they are large cities or small rural towns. In Ohio, we have seen firsthand how investments through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund lower costs for residents and help cities like Akron modernize aging systems," said Congresswoman Sykes. "The Affordable Clean Water Infrastructure Act strengthens this critical program by giving states more flexibility and ensuring that it helps reach the communities that need it most. I'm proud to support this bipartisan effort that lowers costs, protects public health, and keeps our water systems strong for generations to come."

"Too many families in Northeastern Pennsylvania are paying more for water while living with aging infrastructure that's long overdue for upgrades. That's unacceptable," said Congressman Bresnahan. "The Affordable Clean Water Infrastructure Act finally delivers long overdue upgrades to rural and small communities' water systems and protects families who can't afford another increase. I'm proud to help lead this effort to modernize our wastewater and stormwater systems, strengthen public health, and ensure every community, no matter its ZIP code, can afford safe, reliable water service."

"The Clean Water State Revolving Fund has funded water infrastructure projects across the country for the last 37 years," said Congressman Wied. "I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation to reduce project costs for communities facing financial roadblocks and ensure that more funds are being utilized to support small and rural water systems."

The Affordable Clean Water Infrastructure Actis supported by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.

"The Affordable Clean Water Infrastructure Act is a smart, targeted effort to modernize and strengthen the Clean Water State Revolving Fund by helping ensure economically challenged communities receive the affordable wastewater and stormwater services they deserve," said Adam Krantz, CEO of NACWA. "NACWA applauds this bipartisan effort to support economically vulnerable water systems, and make our nation's clean water infrastructure more affordable and resilient."

"We commend Representatives McDonald Rivet (D-MI), Sykes (D-OH), Wied (R-WI), Bresnahan (R-PA), and Fitzpatrick (R-PA) for their leadership and bipartisan work in introducing the Affordable Clean Water Infrastructure Act," said Laura Rubin, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition Director. "Aging water infrastructure is exacerbating many threats to the Great Lakes region, including polluted runoff that causes toxic algal blooms, sewage overflows that close beaches, and flooding that jeopardizes homes, businesses, and communities. Unfortunately, fixing stormwater and wastewater infrastructure is expensive and many communities cannot afford to do so. This legislation is a meaningful step to address these affordability challenges, and we look forward to working with the Representatives to advance this important proposal."