Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act of 2026

This bill establishes a federal grant program to help states fund advanced wastewater treatment projects, with $1 billion authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. The Environmental Protection Agency will distribute funds based on a formula, requiring states to contribute at least 50 percent of project costs unless the project serves disadvantaged communities, which are exempt from this requirement. At least 49 percent of the funding must go to projects serving disadvantaged communities, rural or tribal facilities, or regional water providers that benefit multiple disadvantaged areas. The legislation also requires the EPA to conduct a study with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to evaluate how well advanced wastewater treatment technologies remove emerging contaminants like nanomaterials and certain chemicals.