Congress Is Pushing a New Water Safety Plan,Here's What It Means for Your Tap

Congress is moving forward with multiple water safety bills designed to protect Americans from contaminated drinking water and polluted recreational waterways. Environment America, a leading environmental advocacy organization, has outlined its 2026 priorities for the 119th Congress, and clean water protection sits at the center of the agenda. The focus spans three major areas: preventing toxic PFAS contamination, expanding water quality testing, and addressing plastic pollution in waterways.

What Are PFAS and Why Should You Care About Them?

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals commonly called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally in the environment or in your body. These chemicals have been used for decades in manufacturing, food packaging, firefighting foams, and non-stick cookware. The problem is that PFAS contaminate waterways and farms, making both people and animals sick. All Americans need clean water to drink, but PFAS pollution has become a widespread concern affecting drinking water supplies across the country.

The proposed Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2025 (H.R. 6668) represents a bipartisan effort to establish federal standards that would limit PFAS in drinking water and protect public health. This legislation is designed to "turn off the tap on toxic PFAS pollution," according to Environment America's advocacy priorities.

How Can Congress Improve Water Quality Testing and Beach Safety?

Beyond PFAS regulation, Congress is also focusing on expanding water quality monitoring in recreational areas. Every year, billions of gallons of sewage and runoff pollution flow into waterways, making people sick and closing beaches. The proposed BEACH Act of 2025 (H.R. 583, S. 508) would expand water quality testing to help protect swimmers and beachgoers from contamination.

Environment America supports several complementary approaches to improve water safety across the country:

• Infrastructure Investment: Congress should invest in the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to update aging water treatment plants that may not effectively remove contaminants like PFAS.
• Nature-Based Solutions: Funding should encourage nature-based projects that prevent stormwater pollution at the source, reducing the amount of contamination entering waterways in the first place.
• Expanded Testing: The BEACH Act would expand water quality testing protocols to catch contamination before it affects public health.
• Plastic Pellet Prevention: Congress should pass the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act and the bipartisan Microplastics Safety Act (H.R. 4486, S. 2353) to stop companies from dumping or spilling millions of tiny plastic pellets used in manufacturing into waterways.

These plastic pellets harm fish and wildlife and potentially human health, making their prevention a critical part of comprehensive water protection strategy.

Why Is Federal Action Necessary Now?

While individual states have taken steps to address water contamination, federal legislation provides consistent standards across all states and ensures that water utilities have the resources and regulatory framework needed to protect public health. The proposed bills represent a comprehensive approach that addresses multiple sources of water contamination simultaneously, from industrial chemicals to sewage overflow to plastic pollution. By establishing federal clean water standards and investing in infrastructure, Congress can help ensure that all Americans have access to safe drinking water and clean recreational waterways.

The 119th Congress has the opportunity to strengthen America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, which protects waterways from pollution and contamination. These proposed bills build on that foundation by addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS and expanding protections for both drinking water and recreational water quality.