Bipartisan Tillis bill provides $1B in pandemic-relief funds for critical water infrastructure

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) recently proposed a bipartisan bill that would provide $1 billion in emergency grants, low- and zero-interest loans, and loan forgiveness for America’s small and rural water and wastewater systems facing pandemic-related hardships.

Sen. Tillis on Sept. 21 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Emergency Support for Rural Water Systems Act of 2020, S. 4633, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), to authorize emergency assistance for the repair, modernization, and renovation of failing water infrastructure across the nation. 

“Rural water and wastewater systems in North Carolina and across the county are in dire financial situations due to COVID-19,” Sen. Tillis said. “I am proud to co-introduce this bipartisan legislation to provide relief so our rural communities continue to receive clean drinking water.”

According to Sen. Tillis’ office, small rural water and wastewater systems are expected to have at least $3.6 billion in losses this year, while an estimated 30 percent of systems cannot last more than six months under current financial conditions. 

If enacted, S. 4633 would authorize the amount appropriated to remain available through Dec. 31, 2021, according to the text of the bill, which has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Sen. Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee.