FLOWS Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 3967
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Water Resources Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-11T02:27:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The FLOWS Act of 2026 aims to modernize water infrastructure in rural areas by establishing a grant program through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It focuses on deploying digital technologies to improve water system efficiency, reduce water loss, enhance operations, and protect against cyber threats, ultimately making rural water services more reliable and affordable.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Digital infrastructure technology includes tools like remote sensors for monitoring water flow and pressure, real-time analytics to detect leaks or infrastructure issues, industrial control systems (e.g., supervisory control and data acquisition or SCADA systems for automated operations), artificial intelligence for optimization, and software for hydraulic modeling and project design.
- Eligible entities are owners or operators of public water systems or treatment works (facilities that process drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater) serving rural areas (generally populations under 10,000); rural areas themselves; or states/Tribes acting on their behalf.
- Other terms align with existing laws, such as public water system (any system providing water to the public for drinking) and treatment works (facilities for wastewater management).
- Grant Program Establishment:
- The EPA Administrator will create a program to award grants for:
- Designing, building, operating, and maintaining digital technologies for water projects, including supply, treatment, distribution, desalination, reuse, and groundwater protection.
- Training and workforce development for managers and operators on using these technologies.
- Cybersecurity measures, such as on-site training and technical assistance to protect systems from cyber-attacks.
- Grants can fund initial purchase and ongoing maintenance of software, even if other laws (like the Safe Drinking Water Act) might restrict this.
- Prioritization for smallest systems (serving fewer than 3,300 people) and high-need communities, such as pre-fabricated home associations or community-controlled utilities (not investor-owned).
- Funding: $50 million authorized annually from fiscal years 2027 to 2031, available until spent.
- Other Requirements:
- Grants do not override existing federal or state laws applicable to water projects.
- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must conduct a study within 5 years of enactment on the impacts of digital technologies in rural water systems, covering issues like water loss, sewer overflows, resource management models, and recommendations for planning, cost reduction, interoperability, sustainability, and affordability.
- GAO must report study results and program outcomes to relevant congressional committees by December 31, 2030.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new, dedicated grant program specifically for digital upgrades in rural water infrastructure, which was not previously outlined in laws like the Safe Drinking Water Act or Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
- Explicitly permits grant funds for software acquisition and maintenance, potentially expanding flexibility beyond prior restrictions in environmental statutes that focused more on physical infrastructure.
- Mandates a GAO study and report, adding a layer of federal oversight and evaluation not previously required for similar rural water initiatives.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The EPA will gain new administrative responsibilities for grant distribution and oversight, potentially increasing workload but also enabling better enforcement of water quality standards. The GAO will conduct required research, informing future policy.
- Citizens: Rural residents, especially in small or underserved communities, could benefit from reduced water loss (e.g., fewer leaks), improved fire protection, lower utility costs, and more resilient systems against weather events or cyber threats, enhancing access to safe drinking water and wastewater services.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic rural infrastructure without addressing cross-border water issues.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Rural Water Utilities and Communities: Owners/operators of public water systems and treatment works in rural areas, particularly small-scale or community-controlled entities, who can apply for grants to upgrade operations.
- States and Tribes: Eligible to apply on behalf of local systems, potentially aiding coordination and resource allocation.
- EPA and GAO: Responsible for program implementation, grant awards, and evaluation studies.
- Workforce and Training Providers: Involved in developing skills for digital technology use in water management.
- Vulnerable Populations: Residents in high-need rural areas, such as mobile home communities, who may see improved affordability and service reliability.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces existing environmental laws by requiring compliance, avoiding conflicts with statutes like the Safe Drinking Water Act. The software funding provision could set a precedent for digital investments in infrastructure grants, promoting innovation without waiving regulations.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; the bill exercises Congress's spending power to support public welfare and interstate commerce through improved water systems, aligning with federal authority over environmental protection.
- Political: Targets rural areas, potentially appealing to bipartisan interests in infrastructure and economic development. It emphasizes equity for small, community-owned systems, which could influence future debates on rural vs. urban funding priorities, while the GAO study ensures accountability and data-driven adjustments.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2026-03-03: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Futureproofing Local Operations for Water Systems Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-03 — PDF (9 pages)