Water Sector Leaders Converge On Washington For Annual National Water Policy Fly-In During Water Week

Utility professionals, national water organizations unite to urge Congress to address pressing challenges

Washington – Hundreds of water sector professionals representing national associations and wastewater and drinking water utilities from across the country will visit Congressional offices this week as part of the annual National Water Policy Fly-In during Water Week.

A joint effort of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), The Water Research Foundation (WRF), the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the WateReuse Association, the 2026 Fly-In brings the organizations together around shared priorities. As a collective, the organizations are calling on Congress to address a number of growing challenges facing the water sector, including:

Declining federal investment in water infrastructure. Federal funding for water infrastructure is vital for public health and economic growth. Every million dollars invested in water infrastructure generates $2.5 million in economic output, and $1.4 million worth of GDP growth.

However, future funding levels are uncertain and authorizations for key programs such as the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds will expire in September if Congress fails to act. Congress must reauthorize key drinking water and wastewater funding programs and prioritize robust annual appropriations for these programs to advance investment in water across the country and ensure everyone has access to clean, safe water.

Addressing per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS). The costs of managing PFAS contamination in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act are enormous and will significantly impact ratepayers. Drinking water utilities face annual costs of as much as $7.5 billion to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new PFAS drinking water standards. Clean water utilities are also anticipating enormous cost increases once the EPA sets PFAS standards in accordance with the Clean Water Act. The sector calls on Congress to prioritize source control measures that will reduce the amount of PFAS entering water systems and the environment. The sector also calls on Congress to enact regulations that hold polluters—not local water utilities and their ratepayers—financially responsible for cleanup costs, including providing passive receiver protection for water systems from CERCLA liability.

Ensuring affordability. In most communities across the country, water and wastewater costs outpace inflation and income growth, putting disproportionate pressure on low-income households. On average, 20 percent of US households owe money to their water utility, and as many as 19 million households are challenged by unaffordable water costs. The water sector is urging Congress to establish a permanent low-income water assistance program to help ensure utilities can modernize infrastructure while maintaining affordable water bills.

Protecting sewer systems from improper wipes disposal. The mismanagement of disposable wipes, including falsely labeled “flushable” products, imposes significant burdens on wastewater systems. Improperly flushed wipes cause clogs that pollute the environment, damage expensive equipment, and create health and safety hazards for water utility workers. This costs utilities millions of dollars annually in repairs and operational disruptions. The water sector is calling on Congress to require clear, standardized “Do Not Flush” labeling on all non-flushable wipes to reduce consumer confusion and improper disposal and empower federal agencies to establish and enforce rigorous, science-based flushability standards.

Water Week’s anchor event, the National Water Policy Fly-In, is jointly presented by the five host organizations and is also supported by an additional 17 partner organizations. The event will feature speakers from the EPA, the water sector and Members of Congress discussing current water priorities.

Adam Krantz, CEO of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies said: “Water Week is a reminder that we must all come together to ensure the federal government is fully aware of the affordability challenge that clean water utilities and their customers are facing and the vital need for long-term, sustainable federal investment in water infrastructure at this critical moment. Nothing is more important than water in protecting public health and sustaining economic growth in communities across the nation. We look forward to continuing to work with Members of Congress to make sure clean water remains a federal priority.”

Tom Dobbins, CEO of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies said: “AMWA’s members, the nation’s largest publicly owned drinking water systems, are proud to join their partners for Water Week in Washington, DC. This provides an unparalleled opportunity to highlight the impacts of regulatory demands, affordability pressures, and security concerns, and to underscore the need for sustained federal funding. Speaking with one voice makes the water sector stronger. Local utilities are communicating a clear, unified message to policymakers: every major industry in this country depends on water, and federal funding must reflect this reality. Water investment has to be a priority, not an afterthought.”

Ralph Exton, Executive Director of the Water Environment Federation said: "America’s water infrastructure is the backbone of healthy communities, a strong economy, and national resilience. By investing in a circular water economy—one that values water reuse, innovation, and resource efficiency—Congress can help ensure communities have reliable, affordable systems that protect public health and the environment for generations to come. WEF members are advocating for sustained federal funding and smart policies that allow local water professionals to plan for long-term security, adapt to extreme weather, and stretch every dollar responsibly. These initiatives are not just water investments; they are investments in America’s future.”

Peter Grevatt, CEO of The Water Research Foundation said: “This is a critically important week for the water sector. The ongoing challenges that water utilities face are often masked by the miracles that water professionals do every day to protect the health and vitality of the communities they serve. The Water Research Foundation is excited to join with our water sector partners in advocating for robust funding for ongoing infrastructure needs and the research to drive the sector towards the future.”

Bruno Pigott, Executive Director of the WateReuse Association said: "Water Week is our opportunity to proclaim the value of water with one voice. Every day, water reuse is powering the AI revolution, creating jobs, and protecting our precious water resources. This week we are elevating the call for water infrastructure funding, supporting the U.S. EPA as they advance the Water Reuse Action Plan, and uniting our members in Washington DC for the Water Policy Fly-In."