The FLOWS Act of 2026 establishes an EPA grant program to help rural communities modernize their water infrastructure through the adoption of digital technologies and cybersecurity improvements.
Eric "Rick" Crawford
Representative
AR-1
The FLOWS Act of 2026 establishes an EPA grant program to help rural communities modernize their water, wastewater, and stormwater systems through digital infrastructure technology. By providing $50 million annually, the bill supports the adoption of advanced monitoring, cybersecurity, and data analytics tools to improve system efficiency and resilience. Additionally, the Act mandates a comprehensive study to evaluate the long-term impact of these digital upgrades on rural water management and affordability.
FLOWS Act Proposes $250 Million to Bring Rural Water Systems into the Digital Age by 2027
The FLOWS Act of 2026 is a plan to drag aging rural water infrastructure into the 21st century. Starting in 2027, the EPA would launch a grant program authorized at $50 million per year through 2031. The goal is simple: give rural towns the cash they need to install high-tech sensors, AI-driven data analytics, and remote monitoring tools. Instead of waiting for a massive sinkhole to realize a pipe burst, these systems are designed to catch leaks and pressure drops in real-time, saving water and taxpayer money before a crisis hits.
Tech Support for the Tap
This bill defines "digital infrastructure" broadly, covering everything from acoustic sensors that "listen" for leaks to SCADA systems that allow operators to manage water flow from a computer. For a small town manager, this could mean the difference between manual weekend checks and getting an automated alert on a smartphone. Section 2 specifically allows these funds to be used for the initial purchase of software and the hardware needed for "aquifer banking"—basically saving water underground for a rainy day. It’s a significant shift from traditional "pipes and dirt" engineering to a more data-driven approach to local utilities.
Training the Next-Gen Workforce
Buying fancy software is one thing; knowing how to run it without getting hacked is another. The legislation explicitly carves out funding for workforce development and on-site cybersecurity training. This is a crucial detail for anyone working in local government or trade sectors, as it ensures that the people currently running the pumps get the skills to manage new digital interfaces. By focusing on cybersecurity, the bill acknowledges that connecting water systems to the internet creates new risks that rural operators need to be prepared to handle.
Prioritizing the Smallest Towns
If you live in a community of fewer than 3,300 people, your town is at the front of the line. The EPA is directed to prioritize these smaller entities, along with community-owned organizations like those in prefabricated home parks. This ensures the $250 million total pot doesn't just get swallowed up by larger suburban districts with bigger grant-writing teams. The bill also includes a mandatory "reality check"—a study by the Comptroller General due by 2030 to see if this tech actually made water bills more affordable or just added another layer of complexity to rural life.