Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) have introduced the bipartisan Protect Clean Water Act. It is meant to help communities pay to remove PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” and other emerging contaminants from their water supplies while easing the financial burden on local ratepayers.
Gillen announced the bill at a press conference in Rockville Centre, New York, with local mayors and clean water advocates. Rockville Centre Mayor Francis Murray described it as providing $10 billion over five years in federal funding for water contaminant remediation, including PFAS.
Gillen’s office noted that the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided $5 billion for removing PFAS and other emerging contaminants from water systems, and that this funding expired at the end of fiscal year 2026. Mayors of Freeport, Hempstead and Garden City also voiced support. Fitzpatrick said the bill would ensure states have dedicated funding to address these threats.
Why it matters
The bill is a proposal and has not become law. Water treatment costs are passed to households through utility rates, so the funding question affects homeowners and renters on affected systems.
Source: Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY), October 22, 2026. Read the original release
