Rep. Schrier Joins Colleagues to Lower Water Costs for Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08) joined Representatives Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), and Jenniffer González-Colón (PR-AL)in introducing bipartisan legislation to lower the cost of water and wastewater utility bills for millions of households - the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Establishment Act.

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program was authorized by Congress in 2021 and provided funding for low-income households for their water and wastewater bills. Since its authorization, LIHWAP has served more than 1.4 million households, restored water and wastewater services over 100,000 times, and reduced 679,030 water bills. Furthermore, the program has been particularly helpful for families in need, with approximately 70% of the households who receive LIHWAP aid that are at or below the poverty line.

Preliminary estimates provided by the Congressional Research Service indicate that a fifth of households in the 8^th District, which totals over 60,000, could qualify for assistance under this legislation.

"No family should lose access to reliable water in their home because of inability to pay. Water is essential for any household's health and well-being," said Rep. Schrier. "With rising costs, programs like LIHWAP play an integral role in ensuring that Washingtonians, regardless of financial status, have access to water in their homes. That's why I'm proud to be an original cosponsor on this legislation, which would significantly impact the 8th District and communities across the country."

"We have wonderful communities here in Central and Northwestern Illinois, and I know too many of our working families are struggling to pay their bills and make ends meet," said Rep. Sorensen. "Having access to safe and clean drinking water means families across our region can live healthy lives. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act makes this a reality for all of our neighbors, regardless of how much money they have. This program has been a lifeline for those who need a helping hand, and we must make sure LIHWAP continues to support those in need."

"The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program has helped thousands of Oregon households afford their water bills, including in rural areas and communities that have faced steep rate hikes. As families continue to pay elevated prices for everything from gas and groceries to rent and utilities, now is not the time to cut off critical assistance for those who need it most," said Rep. Chavez-DeRemer. "I'm proud to lead this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Sorensen to authorize and establish the LIHWAP permanently. I look forward to working together on this effort to provide continued assistance for working families."

"Water is the most essential of all the public utility services," said Rep. González-Colón. "The LIHWAP program has been vital for many low-income families across the nation, including over 11,200 homes in Puerto Rico avoiding service interruptions. Over 10,000 of those homes include seniors and over 3,700 include one or more disabled members. We must protect this program and I am glad to join as a co-sponsor of this bipartisan initiative to reauthorize it for the long term."

"There are many income challenged residents in Granite Falls and the surrounding area. The LIHWAP will provide some much-needed financial help to these people. We appreciate Congresswoman Kim Schrier's support of this program," said Granite Falls Mayor, Matt Hartman.

"While we provided the program the level of need became very clear. We received a greater number of requests than we could meet. Today, we still receive inquiries for water and sewer assistance. We know that the need for low-income household water assistance is ongoing and is a public health and economic development driver as other vital needs such as home energy and nutrition. A warm home, clean clothes and a full stomach greatly impact child success in school and parent success in the workforce. The federal government has offered low-income assistance for these other priorities for decades, and we encourage the equal importance of access to water and support Representative Schrier's legislation establishing LIHWAP as a permanent program," said Alan Walker, Executive Director of Chelan Douglas Community Action Council.

"LIHWAP funding has been instrumental in meeting an overlooked and significant need of rural communities in Washington state. Over the past few years, energy and utility bills for low-income families have dramatically increased. While there's support available for energy bills through LIHEAP and local utilities, without LIHWAP there's no targeted assistance for water and sewer bills, leaving a critical gap in a basic need for low-income families," said Andrew Lyons, Director of Weatherization at HopeSource in Central Washington.

"We are grateful for Rep. Schrier's leadership to transition LIHWAP to a permanent nationwide program to support consumers as utilities make necessary investments to meet new regulations and renew aging critical infrastructure," said Scott Dewhirst, Tacoma Water Superintendent, Tacoma Public Utilities.

"The cost of basic water service poses a challenge to many low-income households in Washington State and across the country. The Low-Income Home Water Assistance Program established during COVID has been a lifeline for millions of people, and we applaud Congresswoman Schrier's leadership in establishing a permanent water assistance program that will help families afford their water bills," said Liz Anderson, Executive Director, Washington Public Utility Districts Association.

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act is supported by hundreds of organizations including Tacoma Public Utilities, Rural Community Assistance Partnership, American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, U.S Chamber of Commerce, and many other organizations.

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