Washington, D.C. - The Association of Metropolitan Agencies (AMWA) and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) this week sent a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education in support of funding the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) at $1 billion in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24).
The LIHWAP was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to help households maintain access to clean water services, marking Congress’ first time recognizing the struggles of low income households on water and sewer bills. The program has proved to be an essential lifeline for water utilities during the pandemic and has aided roughly 400,00 households nationwide through its first year.
“For more than 40 years, Congress has funded the LIHEAP program to help qualifying low-income families maintain essential household heating and cooling service. Access to drinking water is just as critical to public health, and water affects every community in the country. We urge Congress to continue funding the LIHWAP program and ensure the water service is available regardless of income level,” said AMWA CEO Tom Dobbins.
While the program’s funding is available through the end of the 2023 fiscal year, the association urges continued funding for LIHWAP at $1 billion in FY24 to avoid any disruption as Congress considers the creation of a permanent federal low-income water assistance program.
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The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) has been the unified and definitive voice for the nation’s largest publicly owned water systems for over 40 years. AMWA’s membership serves more than 160 million people with safe drinking water.
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