U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet of Colorado, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and John Hickenlooper of Colorado, and Rep. Joe Neguse of Colorado reintroduced legislation to expand clean water access for tribal communities by investing in water infrastructure, a news release said Wednesday.
The bill would ensure that the Indian Health Service can meet their demands. The bill includes $150 million for training and technical assistance for projects and $500 million for sanitation efforts and facility maintenance.
Another $500 million would be authorized for the Community Facilities Grant and Loan Program for Native communities to ensure tribal access to grant money. The bill would also authorize $90 million to improve the Bureau of Reclamation’s funding for water projects.
“Access to clean water is a fundamental human right – yet far too many Tribal communities in the 21st century are still forced to travel long distances for clean water,” Bennet stated. “This legislation builds on our efforts to improve clean water access for Tribes in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is another step toward ensuring that Americans in every community have access to safe, clean water.”
“Our bill builds on clean water investments we secured for Tribes in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, makes sure Tribes can get their fair share in the rural grant process, and helps meet sanitation needs,” Hickenlooper stated.
“Nearly a third of Native American households do not have access to clean and reliable water supplies. That is shameful and unacceptable,” Heinrich said in the release.
“This bill emphasizes a whole-of-government approach and collaboration with Tribal governments to increase access to clean drinking water and ensure federal agencies have the resources necessary to complete water infrastructure projects,” said Neguse.
Manuel Heart, chairman of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, also weighed in on the legislation.
“We thank Sen. Bennet for his continued leadership in ensuring that Native people have the same level of basic water service most Americans take for granted,” Heart said.
Access to drinking water is a challenge for Native American communities. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that “Native American households are 19 times more likely than white families to lack indoor plumbing,” the release stated.
The bill was first introduced in 2021 by Bennet, who also fought to include funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to improve Tribal clean water access. The bill also received bipartisan support from five senators across the country.
