Last night, the House of Representatives voted to approve an appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2025 that includes substantial cuts to the EPA and the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs), the main source of federal funding for our nation’s water and wastewater systems. The 210-205 vote to approve the spending measure was largely along party lines. 

The spending legislation – the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill – cuts funding for the EPA overall by one-fifth, including a $749 million (17 percent) cut to state and tribal assistance grants. Notably, the House GOP spending bill cuts funding for safe and clean water assistance by 25 percent, from $2.8 billion to $2.1 billion – the lowest levels in more than 15 years. 

These cuts would cripple efforts to address our nation’s critical water and wastewater needs. A recent survey of the nation’s wastewater and stormwater systems found a 73 percent increase in total need since the previous assessment a decade ago. This follows a survey from last fall of the nation’s drinking water systems that identified a 32 percent increase in total need. Overall, U.S. water and sewer systems need $1.3 trillion over the next 20 years just to comply with existing federal water quality standards.

In response to the House vote, Food & Water Watch Public Water for All Campaign Director Mary Grant issued the following statement:

“This House Republicans adopted a terrible spending plan that makes risky cuts that would jeopardize clean water for communities nationwide. Across every state, communities depend on State Revolving Fund programs to fix and maintain safe, reliable water and sewer systems.These cuts would saddle many with unsafe water, worsen the national water affordability crisis, and pile on to already skyrocketing costs for essential services that families are already struggling to afford.

“The Senate must reject this dangerous proposal, and commit to full funding for our critical water programs. Congress must pass the WATER Act (HR 1729, S 938) to safeguard federal water funding from these foolishly partisan annual appropriations battles.”