Congresswoman Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.), along with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), introduced the bipartisan Protect Clean Water Act on Oct. 22, legislation to help fund the removal of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and emerging contaminants from drinking water supplies.
The Protect Clean Water Act would authorize $10 billion in funding dedicated for PFAS and emerging contaminant remediation over five years through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, giving communities federal support to invest in treatment technology and upgrade water infrastructure.
According to the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), the bill would increase the funding available for emerging contaminants through the State Revolving Fund (SRFs) from $100 million to $1 billion.
In 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provided $4 billion to address emerging contaminants in drinking water with a focus on PFAS. That funding was appropriated evenly at $800 million per year from FY22 through FY26. The funds were provided to states via the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund with no required state match. All the funds were awarded by states as grants or principal forgiveness loans.
The IIJA also carried $5 billion to help small and disadvantaged communities address emerging drinking water contaminants. That funding was appropriated evenly at $1 billion per year from FY22 through FY26 and expired at the end of fiscal year 2026.
“For too long, Long Islanders have faced toxic cancer-causing PFAS contamination in our water while shouldering the high cost to make it safe,” said Rep. Gillen. “I am proud to introduce the bipartisan Protect Clean Water Act alongside local mayors and clean water advocates in the fight to secure clean, safe water for Nassau County. This bill will authorize federal funding that our communities need to protect our water supply for the future without driving up costs for working families.”
“Every family deserves access to clean, safe drinking water, regardless of where they live,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “Across Pennsylvania and the country, PFAS and other emerging contaminants threaten our water supplies and put communities at risk. I’ve spent years fighting to clean up contaminated sites, hold polluters accountable, and protect the health of communities. This bill ensures states have the dedicated funding they need to address these threats, remove harmful contaminants from drinking water, and protect our waterways for generations to come.”
Water Sector Reaction
The legislation is endorsed by AMWA, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the WateReuse Association, Citizens Campaign for the Environment and the Clean Water Construction Coalition.
“The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies is proud to support the Protect Clean Water Act,” said Dan Hartnett, AMWA interim CEO. “This legislation would provide public water systems with much-needed funding through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to address emerging contaminants, like PFAS. As public water systems face billions of dollars in costs annually to filter PFAS from our drinking water, more federal assistance will be crucial to ensure they have the resources to comply with EPA regulations and protect public health. AMWA thanks Representative Gillen for introducing this legislation and ensuring that public water systems can continue to provide the highest quality drinking water to their communities.”
“Clean water utilities are on the front lines of protecting public health and the environment, but as utilities work to address emerging contaminants like PFAS, the rising costs of advanced wastewater treatment and the current lack of scalable, affordable technologies to destroy PFAS will place real financial strain on public utilities, and by extension their local communities and ratepayers,” said Adam Krantz, CEO of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). “NACWA applauds Representatives Laura Gillen and Brian Fitzpatrick for their effort to ensure federal funding to help utilities address the public health concerns related to PFAS and other emerging contaminants.”
“Water reuse technologies can help communities control and remediate harmful substances like PFAS, but keeping our communities safe requires federal investment,” said Bruno Pigott, executive director of the WateReuse Association. “WateReuse Association commends Representatives Gillen and Fitzpatrick for introducing legislation that will protect public health, create jobs, and invest in critical infrastructure.”
The full bill text can be found here.
Source/s: Rep. Laura Gillen’s office, AMWA
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