NAWC Applauds Bipartisan Introduction of the LIHWAP Establishment Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 25, 2025) – The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) applauds the introduction of H.R. 4733, the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Establishment Act. The legislation would make permanent the nation’s first-ever federal water assistance program to ensure families struggling with rising water costs can maintain access to this essential service.

NAWC extends sincere gratitude to the bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-IL), and the strong bipartisan group of original cosponsors: Reps. Robert Bresnahan (R-PA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Michael Lawler (R-NY), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and  Sharice Davids (D-KS).

“While many may take water service for granted, too many in our communities are not that fortunate,” said Robert F. Powelson, NAWC President and CEO. “This legislation will create a vital safety net, helping to ensure access to clean water for every American. We are so grateful to the bill’s sponsors for their leadership on this critical issue.”

The LIHWAP Establishment Act would provide dedicated support for water, recognizing that access to running water is essential for public health and for citizens to remain in their homes. The bill would deliver funds through states directly to water and wastewater utilities to subsidize bills for households in need.

Congress created LIHWAP to assist customers struggling to pay their water bills. As the first federal program to exclusively assist low-income families with their water and wastewater bills, LIHWAP helped more than 1.7 million households across the country maintain or restore water service.

NAWC and its member companies have seen firsthand how successful this assistance can be and strongly supports making the LIHWAP program permanent. We look forward to working with the bill sponsors to advance this critical legislation through Congress.