Water Preservation and Affordability Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5661
- 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
- 2026-04-28T08:06:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Water Preservation and Affordability Act of 2025 aims to update the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) by promoting the use of innovative techniques to preserve water and energy resources. It encourages sustainable practices in water infrastructure projects to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and support environmental protection.
Key Provisions
- Definition of Resource Preservation Technique: Introduces a new term in the Clean Water Act defining "resource preservation technique" as any process, material, technology, or method that:
- Improves water efficiency through reuse, recapture, or conservation.
- Enhances energy efficiency.
- Reduces stormwater runoff (excess water from rain that can carry pollutants into waterways).
- Promotes sustainable planning, design, and construction of projects.
- Introduces environmentally innovative approaches.
- Capitalization Grants for States: Requires states receiving federal grants for clean water programs to prioritize projects using these resource preservation techniques in their planning.
- Revolving Loan Funds for Wastewater Projects: Mandates that loan recipients for repairing, replacing, or expanding wastewater treatment facilities evaluate and use these techniques to the greatest extent possible. States must also incorporate these techniques into their annual plans for how loan funds will be used.
- Wastewater Efficiency Grant Pilot Program: Authorizes $40 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to fund grants for improving wastewater system efficiency.
- Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program: Increases annual funding authorization to $50 million from fiscal years 2026 through 2031 (note: the bill text appears to contain a typographical error, listing "3031") for projects that build resilient and sustainable water infrastructure.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Broadens Focus on Efficiency: Replaces narrower language in the Clean Water Act about "efficient water use, reuse, recapture, conservation, and energy conservation" with the more comprehensive "resource preservation techniques," allowing for a wider range of innovative solutions like stormwater management and sustainable design.
- Strengthens Requirements for Loans and Grants: Adds mandatory evaluations and use of preservation techniques for certain infrastructure projects, which were previously encouraged but not explicitly required.
- Increases Funding: Boosts appropriations for two existing programs—the Wastewater Efficiency Grant Pilot (from unspecified prior levels to $40 million/year) and the Resiliency and Sustainability Program (from $25 million/year for 2022–2026 to $50 million/year for 2026–2031)—to support broader implementation.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental agencies will need to update guidelines and oversight processes to incorporate the new definition and requirements, potentially increasing administrative workload but enabling more flexible project approvals.
- On Citizens and Communities: Could lead to lower water and energy costs for households and businesses through more efficient systems; improves water quality and flood resilience by reducing runoff, benefiting public health and local environments.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. water sustainability could align with global climate and resource-sharing efforts, such as those under international environmental agreements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal and State Governments: EPA and state water agencies, which manage grants and loans, will drive implementation.
- Local Governments and Utilities: Municipalities and wastewater treatment operators receiving loans or grants, who must adopt new techniques in projects.
- Environmental and Industry Groups: Conservation organizations benefiting from sustainability focus; construction and engineering firms adapting to innovative requirements.
- Citizens and Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through improved infrastructure affordability and environmental protections.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the Clean Water Act's framework for sustainable water management without creating new regulatory burdens; the new definition provides flexibility for future innovations while ensuring compliance through existing enforcement mechanisms.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges, as it operates within Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and environmental protection under the Commerce Clause.
- Political: Supports bipartisan environmental goals by emphasizing affordability and innovation, potentially appealing to both conservation advocates and fiscal conservatives; could influence future infrastructure funding debates by prioritizing green practices.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13]
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 2025-09-30: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-09-30: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Water Preservation and Affordability Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-30 — PDF (4 pages)