Summary#
This bill, the Western Tribal Water Act of 2026, amends the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 to reauthorize and adjust the Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program. It adds a provision to make 10 eligible projects specifically within the Upper Colorado River Basin and adds funding of $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028. The bill text also includes findings that the Upper Colorado River Basin tribes face more than $100,000,000 in water infrastructure needs and that the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe has a drinking water project estimated at $50,000,000.
What it means for you#
- If you are a tribal government or member in the Upper Colorado River Basin, up to 10 projects in the basin could be listed as eligible under the Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program and could compete for new funding in 2027 and 2028.
- If you are a local or state official, tribal projects in this basin may receive federal grant attention for drinking water infrastructure.
- If you are not in the Upper Colorado River Basin, the bill does not directly change programs or funding for other areas.
- The bill is currently in the House and has been referred to relevant committees for review.
Expenses#
- The bill text adds a funding authorization of $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
- The bill notes over $100,000,000 in identified needs in the basin and cites a single tribal project estimated at $50,000,000.
- No publicly available information on total long-term cost, offsets, or broader budgetary effects beyond the amounts specified for 2027 and 2028.
Proponents' View#
According to the bill's findings, supporters view the change as targeting drinking water and delivery needs for tribes in the drought-affected Upper Colorado River Basin. The bill frames the added eligible projects and funding as helping tribes address aging infrastructure and improve water supply reliability.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.