Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act

Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania have introduced the Bipartisan Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act in Congress.

It helps communities upgrade wastewater systems to address PFAS and other contaminants. Stevens says clean water is essential for our health and for the future of the Great Lakes. An EPA study says as of 2022, Michigan needed an estimated $181 million for improvements.

If passed, the legislation creates a $1 billion budget for a five-year federal grant program to help water utilities treat water for contaminants. That would cover 50% of the project costs. It would also allocate 49% of funding to communities without financial assistance, with 1% of EPA and admin costs.