Congressman Sorensen Introduces Bipartisan Bill To Re-Establish Federal Program To Help Working Families Afford Clean Drinking Water

• The Bill Would Re-Establish and Make Permanent the Low-Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), Which Served 84,759 Households in Illinois Before the Program Expired in 2022
• It Comes as Municipalities Across IL-17 Are Experiencing Significant Rate Hikes, Including in the Quad Cities, Bloomington, Peoria, and Rockford

Representatives Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Sharice Davids (KS-03) introduced their bipartisan Low-Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Establishment Act. The legislation would re-establish LIHWAP, the first-ever federal water assistance program, after funding for the program expired in 2022.

“The number one issue worrying my neighbors in Central and Northwestern Illinois is affordability – whether it’s putting food on the table for their kids or covering their high-water bill,” said Congressman Sorensen. “Here in Washington, we have the power to help families in Illinois-17 and across the country who are feeling the squeeze from higher prices by ensuring they have access to safe, clean, and affordable drinking water. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program was an incredibly successful program that supported tens of thousands of families in Illinois at-risk of having their access to drinking water cut-off. My bipartisan legislation will help make it a permanent lifeline for those who need a helping hand.”

“Access to clean, safe water is not a luxury, it is a basic necessity,” said Congressman Bresnahan. “With water bills rising faster than inflation, more than 33% of Americans are struggling to pay their water bills. We have seen great success with energy assistance through LIHEAP, and it only makes sense to adapt it to water assistance for our most vulnerable. The LIHWAP Establishment Act will keep low-income households connected to clear water, ensure local utilities have the resources to maintain critical infrastructure, and invest in the long-term strength of our communities.”

“Every family, regardless of financial status, should have reliable access to clean water,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provided vital support to hardworking families in the Eighth District and across the country. That's why I'm happy to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to restore LIHWAP assistance and help lower the cost of water and wastewater utility bills for those in need.”

“In the richest country in the world, every hardworking family should have access to clean drinking water,” said Congresswoman Kelly. “Too many families in Illinois and across the country, though, have to choose between higher grocery prices, higher rent and higher utility bills. I'm proud to help alleviate the burden of water costs and introduce a bill that would reestablish the successful Low-Income Assistance Program.”

“No one should have to choose between paying for water and putting food on the table,” said Congresswoman Davids. “I’m proud to support this legislation to help Kansas families stay safe and financially stable — because when folks can count on basic utilities, it makes it easier to care for their families and contribute to their communities. Simply, reliable access to water shouldn’t depend on your income or ZIP code.”

“Drinking water service is an essential lifeline, regardless of a person’s income,” said Tom Dobbins, CEO of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA). "Just as the federal government has long-established programs to support nutrition assistance and home heating and cooling service for households in need, the LIHWAP Establishment Act would appropriately provide water assistance to low-income families nationwide. AMWA appreciates the leadership of Reps. Sorensen and Bresnahan to advance water affordability, and looks forward to building additional support for this critical legislation.”

“LIHWAP proved to be an essential lifeline, serving more than 1.6 million households who could not afford clean and safe water services,” said Adam Krantz, CEO of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). “NACWA applauds the leadership of Representatives Sorensen and Bresnahan in recognizing the need for a permanent federal water assistance program. This investment would help public clean water agencies make necessary infrastructure investments for their communities while protecting households in need. We look forward to working with these Congressional water champions to get this critical program enacted.”

LIHWAP supported more than 1.5 million households, preventing nearly 1 million disconnections of water service and reducing over 1.1 million water bills before it was shuttered. In Illinois, the program served 84,759 households, prevented 19,233 water disconnections, and helped 4,889 families have their water restored.

This bill would re-establish LIHWAP to continue helping working families afford clean drinking water and other wastewater services by subsidizing their utility bills. Funding will go from the state to the utility and be deducted from the household’s bill. The program will originate with the Department of Health and Human Services and then transition to the Environmental Protection Agency.

States may also use up to fifteen percent of funds to offset the cost of administering, determining eligibility of, and conducting outreach to low-income households.

In addition to the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the bill is supported by the American Water Works Association, National Association of Counties, National Association of Water, National League of Cities, Rural Community Assistance Partnership, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Water Environment Federation.

You can read the full text of the bill HERE and additional background HERE.