October 23, 2018

President Donald Trump signed America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (S. 3021), which includes the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018, into law on October 23.

S. 3021 outlines updates to the biannual WRDA legislation, drinking water infrastructure development, and hydropower regulations. As part of the 2018 WRDA update, S. 3021 authorizes investments in water infrastructure such as ports, channels, locks, and dams, including the reauthorization of the Levee Safety Initiative and the National Dam Safety Program through 2023.

The other titles contain language to advance drinking water infrastructure by authorizing more than $4.4 billion for the state drinking water revolving loan fund program, authorizing $100 million for areas affected by natural disasters to obtain or repair drinking water systems, and streamlining the regulatory approval process for hydropower projects.

The president’s signature put Congress back on track to pass the biannual WRDA on schedule for the third time since 2014. Prior to 2014, Congress had not passed WRDA in seven years.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA-9) originally introduced WRDA as H.R. 8 in May before the text was incorporated into S. 3021. The final bill serves as a follow-up to the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (S. 2848).

“WRDA, as included in the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, will ensure that we stay economically competitive with other countries,” Shuster said before the bill’s final passage in the Senate.  “I am proud that we have been able to work together for the good of our infrastructure and now have an opportunity to send the third WRDA during my chairmanship to the president.”

Sources: Library of Congress; U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.