AMWA, orgs urge presidential candidates to support LIHWAP

Several organizations representing drinking water and wastewater utilities recently wrote to both presidential candidates, urging them both to support funding for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) at the Department of Health and Human Services.

The letters to Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump were endorsed by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the National Association of Water Companies (NACW), the latter of which represents private/investor-owned utility systems.

The groups wrote that LIHWAP is essential in helping American families across the country access clean, reliable and affordable drinking and sanitary water services. LIHWAP was created in 2020 and received additional funding through the American Rescue Plan. Since its establishment, the program has assisted 1.7 million low-income households in maintaining water service, but the program has since expired and has not received additional funding from Congress.

According to the organizations, more than 13,000 water and wastewater systems across the country have utilized LIHWAP funding thus far. A recent poll from AWWA showed that one in three Americans struggle to pay their water bill on time, and 77 percent of American support federal assistance to help pay water bills.

The groups called on both candidates to pursue a dedicated funding line for LIHWAP in their budget and encouraged them to work with Congress to ensure the program receives funding independent of other cost-assistance programs at HHS.

The letters to the candidates concluded: “We ask that you focus on continuing and strengthening programs that address the affordability crisis while also meeting our future infrastructure needs. LIHWAP is supported by numerous local and state governments and public health organizations, all of whom recognize the program’s ability to deliver meaningful benefits to the American people.”