Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5566
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-19T08:06:49Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act (H.R. 5566) aims to extend federal support for programs that improve the durability and long-term viability of water systems. It focuses on helping communities prepare for challenges like natural disasters, climate change, and aging infrastructure by reauthorizing (renewing) existing programs under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.
Key Provisions
- Reauthorization of the Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program: This program, part of the Clean Water Act, provides grants and technical assistance to wastewater treatment facilities to enhance their resilience against disruptions.
- Reauthorization of the Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program: Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, this supports drinking water systems in planning and implementing measures to withstand hazards.
- Reauthorization of the Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program: Also under the Safe Drinking Water Act, this targets medium- and large-scale drinking water utilities for similar resilience improvements.
- Each program is extended through fiscal year 2031, allowing continued funding and operations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill makes minimal changes, primarily updating expiration dates in three sections of existing laws:
- Changes the end date from 2026 to 2031 in the Clean Water Act (Section 223(g)(1)).
- Updates the same dates in two sections of the Safe Drinking Water Act (Sections 1459A(l) and 1459F(f)(1)).
No new programs, funding levels, or eligibility rules are introduced; it simply prolongs the current frameworks.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which administers these programs, will continue to allocate grants and provide oversight without interruption, potentially streamlining long-term planning for water infrastructure investments.
- On Citizens: Improves access to reliable, safe drinking water and wastewater services, especially in areas vulnerable to floods, droughts, or cyberattacks, reducing health risks and service disruptions.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. water resilience could indirectly support global environmental goals, such as those in climate agreements.
Overall, it promotes sustainable water management, potentially saving costs from infrastructure failures estimated in billions annually.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Water Utilities and Local Governments: Midsize and large systems, as well as municipalities, benefit from extended grant access for upgrades.
- Federal Agencies: Primarily the EPA, which manages program implementation.
- Citizens and Communities: Especially in rural, coastal, or disaster-prone areas, gaining from more resilient water supplies.
- Environmental Groups: Indirectly supported through sustained efforts to protect water quality.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens existing environmental statutes without altering their core structure, ensuring compliance with federal water quality standards. No challenges to constitutional authority, as it builds on Congress's established powers under the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate waters.
- Constitutional: Aligns with federal responsibilities for public health and environmental protection, avoiding states' rights conflicts by providing voluntary grants.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by representatives from both parties) signals broad support for infrastructure resilience amid growing climate concerns. It avoids controversy by not increasing spending authorizations, focusing on continuity rather than expansion, which could facilitate passage in a divided Congress.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
Cosponsors (10)
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 2025-09-26: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-09-26: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-09-26: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act — issued 2025-09-26 — PDF (2 pages)