Water Bill Passes Senate

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act passed the Senate on a bipartisan, 89-2 vote. This bipartisan legislation will deliver more than $35 billion nationwide to ensure all Americans have access to clean water by upgrading aging and degraded water infrastructure, including replacing lead pipes. This is an urgent need across Nevada and will help Nevada’s cities as well as rural and tribal areas. Cortez Masto specifically advocated for the reauthorization in this legislation of two critical EPA programs that will help Nevada cities: the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). Both programs will deliver financial support to Nevada’s drinking water systems while also providing loan financing for a wide range of water infrastructure projects.

Every family deserves access to clean drinking water, and it’s been far too long since we have repaired the aging infrastructure our communities depend on to access it,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This bipartisan bill will help revitalize our water system and improve clean water access in our cities as well as our rural and tribal areas. This bill is about protecting vulnerable Americans and children and making sure they can stay healthy, and I am proud to have helped pass it on a strong, bipartisan vote.”

“This bipartisan water infrastructure bill will provide much needed improvements to drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in Nevada across the country, prioritizing underserved communities and aging infrastructure,” said

Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bipartisan legislation that will provide funding for safe drinking water, new technologies, and the removal of lead pipes, ensuring that our children have access to clean drinking water free from harmful toxins. I pledge to continue prioritizing the health of all Nevadans.”

The bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 is endorsed by the National League of Cities, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Environment America, Earthjustice, the National Wildlife Federation, Clean Water Action, WaterReuse Association, the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.