CWCC Statement on Massive Cuts to Water Infrastructure Funding in FY2026 EPA Budget Request

(Allenwood, NJ) – Clean Water Construction Coalition (CWCC) Chair Kyle England issued the following statement on the White House’s FY2026 budget request for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which proposes drastic cuts to water infrastructure funding.

“On May 2, 2025, The White House released its Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request, outlining recommended spending levels for programs across the federal government. The budget proposes a 55 percent reduction in annual spending for the EPA, with a significant portion of those cuts coming out of critical water infrastructure financing programs that states, water utilities, and the American people rely on to keep water services safe, reliable, and affordable.”

“The Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) are the primary mechanism for federal water infrastructure investment. Through these programs, the EPA makes capitalization grants to states, which then provide low-interest loans for water infrastructure projects. These loans revolve at the state level, ensuring that local water utilities have access to affordable financing. The programs are a tried-and-true model of cooperative federalism and have been the driver for getting necessary projects financed and executed for several decades.”

“Despite this success, the proposed budget for the EPA recommends cutting the SRFs by nearly 90 percent. These drastic cuts are out of step with the growing level of need for water infrastructure investment – projected by the EPA to be greater than $1.2 trillion over the next twenty years. If enacted, these cuts will erode the SRF programs and harm communities by making it harder to obtain financing for necessary projects that improve public health, protect the environment, and boost economic development.”

“Recent investments from the Infrastructure, Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) were a strong step forward in adequately funding water infrastructure, but communities simply cannot afford to go backward on this progress. CWCC welcomes the opportunity to work with the Trump Administration and the Congress to ensure water infrastructure funding is protected and maintained in FY2026 and beyond.”

The Clean Water Construction Coalition (CWCC) is a nationwide organization of infrastructure construction associations joined together toadvocate for the improvement of water and wastewater infrastructure through federal legislation and initiatives. Formed in 2005, the CWCC is comprised of associations representing 20 states and approximately 11,000 member firms.