Tlaib, Dingell Introduce Legislation to Ensure Safe, Affordable Water for All

DETROIT – Today, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) re-introduced the Water Access and Affordability Act to establish the first-ever permanent, federal low-income water affordability program at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“Our families can’t live without access to water. We have a federal program for electricity and gas, but no permanent program for water. Millions of our neighbors across our country are having their water shut off simply because they cannot afford the rising bills,” said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. “Safe, accessible, and affordable drinking water is essential to public health, and many water utilities cannot afford to maintain their infrastructure. I am proud to introduce this legislation to create a permanent water affordability program at the EPA.”

“Access to clean water is a basic human right, but too many families struggle to cover the cost of their water bills,” said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. “This legislation provides much-needed support to help meet those basic needs, take on the cost of living crisis, and ensure no family has to go without clean water in their home.”

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) that Reps. Tlaib and Dingell helped establish in 2021 kept people’s water flowing during the pandemic and saved countless lives—but that money has now run out and Congress has failed to appropriate new funding. The federal government must rapidly increase water assistance to households and public water utilities so that every low-income household has the safe, reliable water they need to live and thrive. Thousands of Michigan families depend on water assistance, and thousands more are still waiting for help, as available support falls well short of the need.

The Water Access and Affordability Act amends Part E of the Safe Drinking Water Act to establish the Low-Income Drinking Water Assistance Program within the EPA. The program will include drinking water access financial assistance to low-income households, technical assistance for community water systems, and data collection and reporting. $20 billion is appropriated annually for the next 10 years to carry out the program. The Program will promote universal access to drinking water for all low-income households.

This legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Summer Lee (PA-12), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07).

The Water Access and Affordability Act is endorsed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

This legislation is also endorsed by more than 40 national and regional organizations, including PolicyLink, Earthjustice, Natural Resources Defense Council, Mothering Justice, Clean Water Action, National Wildlife Federation, Freshwater Future, Ecology Center, Green Latinos, Community Water Center, We The People of Detroit, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, Water Equals Life Coalition, Center for Water Security and Cooperation, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Elevate, River Network, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, Michigan Faith in Action, Breathe Free Detroit, Detroit People’s Platform, Michigan United, We The People Action Fund, Detroit Hamtramck Coalition for Advancing Healthy Environments, Michigan Chamber for Reproductive Justice, Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network, Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development, Original United Citizens of Southwest Detroit, Southwest Detroit Community Benefits Coalition, Sustainable Community Farms, Chandler Park Neighborhood Association, North End Woodward Community Coalition, Helco Block Club, Petty Propolis, Inc., Bayou City Waterkeeper, One Love Global, Cities of Peace, Detroit, Oakland University Student Congress, Verde, Redeem Programs, and Wisdom Institute.

“The Water Access and Affordability Act is a much-needed commitment to addressing water affordability, a crisis that disproportionately impacts low-income and historically undervalued communities. As COVID-era protections are rolled back and water rates continue to increase, we are once again seeing water utilities resume the practice of shutting off water to families who simply cannot afford to pay. That’s why this legislation is critical in this moment,” said Monica Lewis-Patrick, CEO of We The People of Detroit. “Integral to the Act’s success is the establishment of Community Advisory Committees, which provides local residents, nonprofits, and stakeholders a seat at the table to guide program implementation in each region. We The People of Detroit supports the Water Access and Affordability Act as a transformative step toward water justice, and we urge Congress to swiftly pass this legislation to make safe, affordable water a reality for all.”

“The United States is facing a deepening water affordability crisis, forcing millions of low-income families to choose between paying their water bills and meeting other basic needs, or living in fear of shutoffs,” said Yasmin Zaerpoor, Director of Water Equity and Climate Resilience at PolicyLink, on behalf of the national Water Equity and Climate Resilience Caucus. “The Water Access and Affordability Act of 2026 establishes the first comprehensive, nationwide program to ensure all households can afford safe drinking water and wastewater services—combining direct assistance, strong consumer protections, and sustained federal investment with a focus on equity, transparency, and community engagement. This legislation represents a critical step toward ensuring safe, affordable water for all.”

A one-pager on the bill can be found here.

A section-by-section summary of the bill can be found here.

A full copy of the legislation can be found here.

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