One of the most important bills for American water projects, the Water Resource Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, is on its way to the full U.S. Senate and House of Representatives after being unanimously approved by key committees in each chamber. Congress passes a new WRDA bill every two years. The legislation paves the way … Read more
Good news for small communities seeking funding from the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced it will waive fees for small communities that apply for WIFIA loans in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Application & Credit Processing Fees The WIFIA program charges fees to loan applicants to … Read more
Planning ahead is critical to securing funding and advancing projects, but it does not eliminate risk. Even well-planned utility budgets face uncertainty, from equipment failures to revenue shortfalls that put pressure on operations. In our previous article, we discussed how planning ahead can position your utility to take advantage of funding opportunities. In this edition, … Read more
More funding is on the way to U.S. states and territories to reduce lead in drinking water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recently announced $2.875 billion in funding to protect Americans from exposure to lead. The investment will be dispersed through the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF). Communities can use the funds for identifying lead … Read more
Let’s talk utility rates, trends, and strategy! The 25th edition of the AE2S Annual Rate Survey is now open. Join hundreds of others by participating in the 2026 Utility Rate Survey for a holistic look at your position compared with peer utilities and what the numbers tell you when it comes to water, wastewater, stormwater, … Read more
Shifting economic conditions and evolving funding dynamics are influencing how communities and utilities think about the future. While many of these factors are outside local control, being prepared is not. Strong financial and organizational leadership is less about predicting what comes next and more about reinforcing the fundamentals that allow an organization to respond with … Read more