Water Access and Affordability Act

The Water Access and Affordability Act establishes a federal program, administered by the EPA, to provide financial assistance to low-income households for their drinking water and sanitary sewer bills. States, large water systems, or Indian Tribes can receive grants to implement these programs, offering aid for bill payments, debt relief, and water efficiency improvements. The bill includes provisions to simplify enrollment, such as automatic enrollment and self-attestation, and prohibits service disconnections for participating households. Additionally, it revises federal State Revolving Loan Fund programs for water infrastructure, requiring states to increase transparency, public engagement, and prioritize assistance for disadvantaged communities. This includes public review of funding plans, reporting on the socioeconomic impact of projects, and expediting aid to communities with affordability challenges.