Sens. Ossoff, Rev. Warnock Secure $3.3 Million for Clean Water Emergency Response in Rural Georgia

The funding will help protect public health and community water supplies during and after a natural disaster

Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock secured this funding through the American Relief Act of 2025

Senator Ossoff: "We're delivering these resources to help improve Georgia's water infrastructure after storms like Hurricane Helene."

Senator Reverend Warnock: "After a natural disaster, the last thing Georgians should have to worry about is if their water is safe to drink."

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) secured $3.3 million for the Georgia Rural Water Association to respond quickly and effectively to any clean water-related emergencies that may arise after natural disasters.

Clean water-related emergencies can arise after natural disasters or other incidents that disrupt water and sewer systems, posing an immediate threat to public health. Funding secured by Senators Warnock and Ossoff will help communities respond quickly to these emergencies and prevent catastrophic infrastructure issues, such as sewer overflows and backups.

"After a natural disaster, the last thing Georgians should have to worry about is if their water is safe to drink," said Senator Reverend Warnock. "I'm proud that federal funding is on its way to Georgians on the ground to provide the resources they need to deal with any emergencies that could impact access to clean, safe water."

"Clean, safe, healthy drinking water is not a luxury - it's a necessity," said Senator Ossoff. "Bringing Republicans and Democrats together, we're delivering these resources to help improve Georgia's water infrastructure after storms like Hurricane Helene."

The funding is part of the bipartisan American Relief Act of 2025, which passed Congress in December 2024. It provided federal disaster and economic recovery funding for communities across the country, including Georgia.

The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority is expected to use the funding to conduct activities that respond to and alleviate clean water emergencies for systems that ensure clean water. It includes a subaward to the Georgia Rural Water Association to enhance its water and sewer emergency mutual aid equipment program, a critical element in Georgia's overall emergency response.

The funding is also expected to support emergency response and preparedness, water infrastructure repairs, operations and maintenance of facilities, and the establishment of emergency monitoring capabilities. It will primarily assist communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Senator Warnock has consistently worked to provide and strengthen federal support for communities affected by natural disasters and has championed legislation to help Georgians defend against the impacts of severe weather. In March 2026, Senator Warnock secured over $531 million in federal disaster aid for Georgia farmers who were affected by Hurricane Helene. In March 2025, Senator Warnock led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture urging it to expedite disaster assistance for Georgia farmers affected by Hurricane Helene. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and members of the Georgia Congressional Delegation also supported the effort.

###