Federal clean water money goes to states that need it most.

What it does

This bill changes how federal clean water money is split. It gives 60% based on water work needed, 20% based on population, and 20% based on poverty rates. It sets aside money for tribes and territories. States can use a small part to study what water work they need.

Who it affects

States, tribes, and territories that get federal clean water money are affected. States with the worst water problems and poorest people will get more money. States that got more money before may get less, but changes are capped.

One thing to notice

The bill depends on surveys that measure what water work each state needs. If those surveys are old or wrong, the money might not reach the right places.

From the analysis of the bill text, linked under Primary records below.

Where it stands

7 cosponsors: 5 Democrats, 2 Republicans.

• Jul 16, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in Senate”
• Jul 16, 2026 — Referred to Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works · Congress.gov: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Words to know

• survey — A study that collects facts about what water work states need to do.
• tribes — Native American groups that get federal money for their own water systems.
• territories — U.S. lands that are not states, like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• poverty rates — The share of people in a state who do not have enough money to live.