Contributed Article
Washington, D.C. — In a rare show of cross-party cooperation, U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and John Boozman (R-AR) have introduced the Futureproofing Local Operations for Water Systems (FLOWS) Act of 2026, legislation aimed at bolstering the reliability and security of rural water infrastructure across the United States.
The bill, unveiled recently, seeks to address the mounting challenges faced by small rural water and wastewater utilities, many of which serve communities of fewer than 3,300 people. These systems often grapple with deteriorating infrastructure, chronic staffing shortages, escalating operational expenses, and heightened vulnerability to cyberattacks. Without access to advanced monitoring tools commonly used by larger utilities, rural providers struggle to detect leaks, maintain water pressure, ensure quality, and avert disruptions—issues that ultimately drive up costs for residents and threaten public health and service continuity.
The FLOWS Act would establish a competitive grant program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), authorizing $50 million per year specifically targeted at the smallest and most economically disadvantaged rural communities. Funding would support the adoption of modern technologies to enhance day-to-day operations, improve efficiency, reduce waste, and fortify defenses against cyber threats.
“Every family deserves safe drinking water. That requires up-to-date, reliable water infrastructure,” Senator Kelly said in a statement. “Right now, rural communities are dealing with aging systems, tight budgets, and growing cyber threats. We’re helping local water providers upgrade their equipment, catch problems before they become costly emergencies, and protect their systems from attacks so families aren’t left footing the bill for breakdowns and disruptions.”
Senator Boozman echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the bill’s focus on practical, non-bureaucratic assistance. “Local water providers in The Natural State and across the country work hard every day to deliver reliable water services despite growing infrastructure demands and tight budgets,” he said. “The FLOWS Act can offer targeted support to help modernize drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems with advanced technologies that improve efficiency, reliability, and their capacity to safeguard against cyber vulnerabilities long-term.”
The proposal has garnered swift endorsements from key industry and advocacy groups. Chris Harris, CEO of the Arkansas Rural Water Association, praised the bill for streamlining operations and equipping small systems with tools to respond faster to emergencies. Adam Krantz, CEO of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), highlighted its role in enabling less-resourced utilities to adopt innovations that protect water quality and affordability.
Matthew Holmes, Executive Director of the National Rural Water Association, noted that the legislation would provide nationwide access to operational technology, helping rural systems improve efficiency and safeguard public health. Marsha Anderson Bomar, Ph.D., President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), pointed to the 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, which underscores the need for digital tools to upgrade drinking water and wastewater systems. She called the FLOWS Act a “practical, commonsense step” to bring technology and workforce training to communities most in need.
The full text of the FLOWS Act is available on congressional websites. As a bipartisan effort in an era of divided politics, the bill represents a focused investment in essential rural infrastructure, with supporters arguing it could prevent costly failures and enhance resilience in communities often overlooked by larger federal programs.
