FLOWS Act of 2026

This bill establishes a grant program, administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, to help rural communities adopt digital infrastructure technology for their public water systems and treatment works. The program aims to improve the efficiency, management, and resilience of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure by funding advanced tools like remote sensing, real-time monitoring, industrial control systems, and digital design software. These technologies are intended to detect water loss, identify infrastructure damage, and enhance overall operational effectiveness. Grants will also support training and workforce development for managing water infrastructure projects using digital tools, and provide cybersecurity training to mitigate risks from cyber-attacks. The program prioritizes eligible entities that serve fewer than 3,300 people and those most in need, such as community-owned water systems. Congress authorizes an appropriation of $50,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund these initiatives. Additionally, the bill mandates the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a comprehensive study within five years to assess the impact of adopting digital infrastructure technology in rural water projects. This study will identify challenges like water loss and inadequate fire flow, and provide recommendations for improving water resource management, reducing project costs, and enhancing the sustainability and affordability of water services in rural areas.