Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2025
The Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2025 addresses the critical lack of access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities on Tribal lands. The bill recognizes that nearly half of all households on Tribal lands lack access to reliable water sources, clean drinking water, or basic sanitation—a rate significantly higher than other U.S. communities. The legislation authorizes substantial funding across multiple federal agencies to construct, repair, operate, and maintain water infrastructure on Tribal lands, while also providing technical assistance to help Tribes access and manage these resources. The bill explicitly extends many provisions to include Native Hawaiian organizations and communities, acknowledging the federal trust responsibility to ensure the survival and welfare of Indigenous peoples.
Key Points
- 1Authorizes $500 million annually (fiscal years 2026-2030) for the Indian Health Service Sanitation Facilities Construction Program to build and repair water infrastructure on Tribal lands
- 2Provides $100 million annually through USDA Rural Development for water system loans and grants to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, with no matching contribution required
- 3Allocates $100 million annually for operation and maintenance of Tribal drinking water and sanitation facilities, ensuring long-term sustainability of infrastructure investments
- 4Establishes $60 million in annual technical assistance funding across agencies to help Tribes access construction funding and develop capacity to manage water utilities
- 5Expands eligible facilities to include non-commercial community structures essential to Tribal life, such as schools, hospitals, clinics, and Tribal government offices