The problem:

Over the past few years, the risks of contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) jumped to the top of legislators’ and communities’ agendas. Also known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS do not break down in the environment and can cause serious health problems in humans. Major settlements with PFAS manufacturers, reporting about pervasive PFAS around military communities, and “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) advocacy have put PFAS in the spotlight.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) devoted significant federal funding, for the first time, to address emerging contaminants in water systems, including PFAS. Right as the problem takes on new urgency, though, this funding authority is set to expire; IIJA funding approvals run out at the conclusion of FY2026, causing a funding cliff for emerging contaminants remediation.

Our goal:

Recognizing this funding cliff, a legislator reached out to the Clean Water Construction Coalition (CWCC) and Current Strategies teams to discuss ideas for legislation that would meaningfully help their constituents navigate rising water bill costs and remediate PFAS. The member sits on a committee of jurisdiction and was ready to leverage this position to establish themself as a leader in combatting the growing PFAS issue.

What we did:

• Connected CWCC to arrange an initial meeting between CWCC members and congressional staff, discussing PFAS contamination and water affordability challenges impacting constituents. 

• Negotiated with congressional staffers to draft and refine a legislative text that would reauthorize emerging contaminants remediation at increased levels, within the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds. 

• Rallied stakeholders across the water sector to endorse and support the legislation.
  

The outcome:

The Member of Congress introduced a bipartisan bill that would authorize up to $10 billion in funding to the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, $1 billion per fund over 5 years, to combat PFAS and other emerging contaminants.