Congress·In Committee·H.R. 4733

Rep. Sorensen Introduces Bill to Provide $2.5 Billion for Low-Income Water Bill Assistance

Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act

4 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

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Key Points

This bill creates a new federal program to help low-income families pay their water and sewer bills. The EPA and HHS would work together to send grant money to states and tribes, which then pay water utilities directly to cover past-due balances and monthly charges for struggling households.
From policy text
“The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator, shall establish the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program to award grants, in accordance with paragraph (3), to eligible entities described in paragraph (2) to provide funds to owners and operators of public water systems or treatment works to assist low-income households in paying arrearages and other rates charged to such households for drinking water or wastewater services.”
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Families automatically qualify if they already get help from programs like SNAP (food stamps), SSI, TANF, veterans' pensions, or LIHEAP energy assistance. Households can also qualify based on income — if they earn less than 150% of the poverty level or 60% of their state or area median income.
From policy text
“in which 1 or more individuals are receiving-- (i) assistance under the State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act”
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The bill authorizes $500 million per year for five years (2026–2030), totaling $2.5 billion. Money is distributed to states and tribes using a formula based on the share of households in poverty or those spending more than 30% of income on housing.
From policy text
“There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.”
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Special grants are set aside for nonprofit organizations to help rural, underserved, and tribal communities access the program. Up to 3% of total funding is reserved specifically for Indian tribes.
From policy text
“The Secretary shall provide grants to qualified nonprofit organizations to assist owners or operators of public water systems or treatment works, in rural or underserved areas or in the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, in accessing funds through the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program.”
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The program cannot replace existing water assistance efforts — it can only add to them. States and nonprofits receiving grants are prohibited from using the money to supplant other programs that help low-income households afford water services.
From policy text
“shall not use the funds from the grant to supplant any other funds for any program that assists low-income households in maintaining access to affordable drinking water or wastewater services”
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

3 milestones3 actions

Dec 1, 2025House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Jul 23, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Jul 23, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

End of fiscal year 2030

Program authorization expires

The five-year authorization window closes after fiscal year 2030. Without reauthorization by Congress, no new grants could be issued under this program.

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3 articles

Circle of Blue·8 months ago

Federal Water Tap, July 28, 2025: U.S., Mexico Sign Tijuana River Sewage Pollution Deal

A bipartisan bill in the House would revive a low-income water bill assistance program that was born during the pandemic. Funding for the program, which helps low-income households pay their water bills, has since expired. The bill authorizes $500 million annually for the program through 2030.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting·almost 2 years ago

Capito Open To Renewal Of Water Bill Subsidy Program

Sen. Alex Padilla introduced the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act, which would make the program permanent. Sen. Capito indicated she would consider renewing the funding but stopped short of endorsing a permanent version, citing potential operational reforms.

San Diego County Water Authority·5 months ago

Water Authority Board Votes to Support Federal Water Rate Assistance Program for Low-Income Households

The Water Authority Board of Directors voted to support the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Establishment Act. Reintroduced by U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, the bill would provide $500 million in annual funding through 2030 to help families maintain essential water service.