The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed separate versions of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016 in September.
The Senate passed S. 2848, WRDA, in mid-September. WRDA includes a key water infrastructure provision of $70 million. The funding would allow the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan program to begin providing loans for infrastructure projects. WRDA also includes $100 million to the state revolving loan fund program, as well as a $220 million package to help Flint, Michigan and other communities struggling with lead-contaminated water supplies. The House version, H.R. 5303, authorizes dozens of water-related infrastructure projects around the country and includes amendments that would authorize up to $170 million for the Flint water crisis.
The two houses will meet via conference to come to an agreement on the two separate versions of the bill. The conference committee is expected to be held after the November election.