SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Democrat Terri Sewell and Republican Mike Rogers stand united behind new bipartisan legislation to address the rural wastewater crisis, highlighted against the backdrop of failing sewage systems that impact underserved communities. (Speakin’ Out News collage)
U.S. Representatives Terri Sewell, D-Alabama, and Mike Rogers, R-Alabama, have introduced bipartisan legislation to address Alabama’s ongoing rural wastewater crisis by expanding federal assistance for low-income households.
The bill, known as the Rural Decentralized Water Systems Reauthorization Act, was introduced in the House on Friday. It seeks to strengthen and expand the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Decentralized Water Systems Program, which provides grants to help low- and moderate-income families install or upgrade septic and other decentralized wastewater systems.
The program was originally established through Sewell and Rogers’ Rural Septic Tank Access Act, which was included in the 2018 Farm Bill. Lawmakers say the new legislation builds on that progress to address persistent infrastructure gaps in rural communities.
“I have seen firsthand the health and environmental hazards caused by failing wastewater systems in rural Alabama,” Sewell said in a statement. “No family should have to endure these conditions simply because they cannot afford the exorbitant cost of maintaining their own wastewater system or lack access to municipal lines.”
According to federal data, approximately 20% of Americans rely on individual wastewater systems rather than centralized sewage services. These systems can be expensive to maintain, and when they fail, they can contaminate water sources and pose serious health risks.
The issue is especially severe in parts of rural Alabama, where many communities lack access to municipal wastewater infrastructure. In some cases, families are forced to rely on outdated or failing systems, leading to unsafe living conditions and environmental concerns.
The proposed legislation would reauthorize the Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program through 2031 and expand eligibility for assistance. Key provisions include restoring loan eligibility for individuals earning up to 100% of the area median income and prioritizing subgrants for those earning 60% or less.
The bill also increases the maximum grant or loan amount from $15,000 to $20,000, helping families better cover the rising costs of installation and repairs. Additionally, it would allow funding to cover performance warranties for household wastewater systems, providing added protection for homeowners.
Support for the measure extends beyond Alabama. Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, and Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia.
“Hundreds of thousands of homes across the U.S. lack access to basic sewage systems,” Booker said. “This bill will help provide better access to wastewater infrastructure for families who desperately need it.”
Capito echoed similar concerns, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure improvements in rural states. “Strengthening infrastructure across West Virginia has long been a top priority,” she said. “This legislation will improve home water systems and build on a program that has already delivered real results.”
As lawmakers push forward, supporters say the bill represents a critical step toward improving public health, protecting the environment, and ensuring rural families are not left behind in essential infrastructure.