Bill Summary
The "Water Preservation and Affordability Act of 2025" aims to enhance the Federal Water Pollution Control Act by incorporating resource preservation techniques into various water management programs. It defines "resource preservation techniques" to include methods that improve water and energy efficiency, manage stormwater runoff, promote sustainable project design, and encourage innovative environmental practices.
Key provisions of the legislation include:
1. **Definition Expansion**: It clarifies the definition of resource preservation techniques to encompass a range of efficiency and sustainability practices.
2. **Capitalization Grant Agreement Modification**: It updates grant agreements to emphasize the incorporation of resource preservation techniques in funding applications.
3. **Revolving Loan Funds Adjustment**: It mandates that recipients of loans for water treatment works repair, replacement, or expansion must evaluate and implement resource preservation techniques.
4. **Pilot Program Funding**: It establishes a pilot program for wastewater efficiency with an increased funding authorization of $40 million annually from fiscal years 2026 to 2031.
5. **Infrastructure Resilience Funding Increase**: It raises the funding cap for the Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program to $50 million annually for the same fiscal years.
Overall, the Act seeks to foster sustainable water management practices while ensuring that projects funded under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act are environmentally responsible and efficient.
Possible Impacts
The "Water Preservation and Affordability Act of 2025," as described in the provided legislation, could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Improved Water Quality and Availability**: By promoting resource preservation techniques such as water reuse, recapture, and conservation, communities may experience improved water quality and increased availability of water resources. This could lead to more reliable access to clean water for drinking, agriculture, and recreational purposes, ultimately enhancing public health and quality of life.
2. **Economic Benefits through Job Creation**: The emphasis on sustainable project planning, design, and construction practices may stimulate job creation in the green technology and environmental sectors. As entities implement resource preservation techniques, new jobs could emerge in areas such as water management, environmental consulting, and infrastructure development, contributing to local economies.
3. **Enhanced Resilience to Climate Change**: The legislation's focus on mitigating stormwater runoff and promoting energy efficiency can help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. By fostering infrastructure that can better manage extreme weather events and reducing energy consumption, residents may face fewer disruptions during heavy rainfall or droughts, leading to greater community resilience and stability.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5661 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5661
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to consider the use of
resource preservation techniques in certain programs, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 30, 2025
Mrs. Sykes (for herself and Mr. Bresnahan) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to consider the use of
resource preservation techniques in certain programs, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Water Preservation and Affordability
Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. RESOURCE PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES.
(a) Definition of Resource Preservation Technique.--Section 502 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(28) Resource preservation technique.--The term `resource
preservation technique' means any process, material, technique,
or technology that--
``(A) addresses water efficiency, including water
reuse, recapture, and conservation;
``(B) addresses energy efficiency;
``(C) mitigates stormwater runoff;
``(D) encourages sustainable project planning,
design, and construction; or
``(E) is environmentally innovative.''.
(b) Capitalization Grant Agreement.--Section 602(b)(13)(B) of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1382(b)(13)(B)) is
amended by striking ``the potential for efficient water use, reuse,
recapture, and conservation, and energy conservation'' and inserting
``the use of resource preservation techniques''.
(c) Water Pollution Control Revolving Loan Funds.--Section 603 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1383) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)(1), by striking subparagraph (E) and
inserting the following:
``(E) for a treatment works proposed for repair,
replacement, or expansion, and eligible for assistance
under subsection (c)(1), the recipient of a loan shall
evaluate, and will use, to the maximum extent
practicable, resource preservation techniques for
purposes of carrying out the repair, replacement, or
expansion;''; and
(2) in subsection (i)(1), by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following:
``(B) to use resource preservation techniques.''.
(d) Wastewater Efficiency Grant Pilot Program.--Section 222(e) of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1302(e)) is amended
by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this section $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2026 through 2031, to remain available until expended.''.
(e) Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability
Program.--Section 223(g)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(33 U.S.C. 1302a(g)(1)) by striking ``$25,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2022 through 2026'' and inserting ``$50,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2026 through 3031''.
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