Clean water in the press

February 7, 2026 — Congress has voted to slash $125 million in funding dedicated to replacing toxic lead drinking water pipes across the United States. These funds, which were originally part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, were redirected by Republican leadership toward wildfire prevention as part of a broader government funding package.

This reduction will most severely impact states with the highest concentrations of lead pipes, such as Michigan, Illinois, Texas, and New York. The decision has sparked outrage among politicians and public health advocates who argue that the cut is "pennywise and poundfoolish," noting that the long-term health costs of lead exposure far exceed the price of pipe replacement. According to the EPA, there is no safe level of lead exposure, as it can stunt childhood development, lower IQ scores, and increase the risk of heart disease in adults. While House Democrats were able to negotiate the cut down from an initial proposal of $250 million, advocates worry the move sends a signal that clean water infrastructure is no longer a high priority. Furthermore, some lawmakers criticized the move for cutting essential health projects while simultaneously increasing funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

December 4, 2025 — The potential elimination or reduction of 31 national monuments designated since the Clinton administration threatens the clean drinking water supply for more than 13 million Americans. A recent analysis found that 83 percent of the river and stream miles within these protected lands have no other substantial conservation protections, making them uniquely vulnerable to industrial development.

The current administration has demonstrated a consistent pattern of targeting public lands, including a strategic plan to “assess and right-size monuments” and a Department of Justice inquiry into the legality of revoking protections entirely. Recent actions include an order to review existing land protections and the potential removal of safeguards for at least six land-based monuments. These threats follow the previous removal of protections for vast ocean areas and the nomination of officials with records of opposing the Antiquities Act.

National monument status is critical for preventing contamination from drilling and mining operations and for maintaining the natural water filtration benefits provided by healthy ecosystems. Rescinding these protections jeopardizes the ecological integrity of these lands and risks the health of the millions of people who depend on them for clean water.