Last night, the House of Representatives voted to approve an appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2025 that includes a 25 percent funding cut to the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds, the main source of federal funding for our nation’s drinking water and wastewater systems.

These cuts cripple efforts to address our nation’s critical water and wastewater needs, undermining goals to replace lead pipes, remove toxic PFAS from drinking water, and prevent beach closures. A recent EPA survey of the nation’s wastewater and stormwater systems found a 73 percent increase in total need since the previous assessment a decade ago. According to EPA surveys, New York water and sewer systems need around $90 billion over the next 20 years just to comply with existing federal water quality standards; its wastewater and stormwater systems need $54 billion alone – almost $2,700 per person.

New York Representative Anthony D’Esposito was among the votes to slash clean water programs. D’Esposito also requested four water earmarks for his district – all in majority-white, wealthy communities. In contrast, he did not request water funding for the village of Hempstead, a majority-people of color community with a 16% poverty rate that needs to build a $55 million-treatment facility to remove toxic 1,4-dioxane and PFAS from drinking water. Groups will rally Tuesday in Long Beach against D’Esposito’s dismal record on delivering safe, clean water for his constituents.

In response to the House vote, Food & Water Watch New York State Director Laura Shindell issued the following statement:

“House Republicans’ political games are endangering New Yorkers’ right to safe, affordable water. Last night’s vote threatens to saddle New Yorkers with unsafe water, worsen our water affordability crisis, and pile onto the already skyrocketing costs for essential services burdening our communities. The Senate must reject House Republicans’ dangerous proposal, and commit to fully funding our critical water programs. Congress must pass the WATER Act (HR 1729, S 938), establishing a permanent trust to safeguard federal water funding from these foolishly partisan annual appropriations battles.”

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.