FLOWS Act of 2026

This bill establishes a grant program at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help rural water systems adopt digital infrastructure technology, and requires a study and report on the impact of such technology.

Sec. 2, Rural area digital infrastructure technology grant program: The EPA Administrator must create a grant program to assist eligible entities, owners or operators of public water systems or treatment works in rural areas, rural areas themselves, or states or Tribes on their behalf, in designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining digital infrastructure technology for water projects. This includes technologies like remote sensing, real-time monitoring, industrial control systems, artificial intelligence, and digital design software. Grants can also fund training, workforce development, and cybersecurity measures. The Administrator must prioritize entities serving fewer than 3,300 people and those most in need, such as community-controlled organizations. The bill authorizes $50 million per year from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, available until spent.

Sec. 2, Applicability of other laws: Nothing in the bill waives or limits any other federal or state law that applies to projects funded by the grants.

Sec. 2, Digital transformation study: Within five years of enactment, the Comptroller General must study the impact of adopting digital infrastructure technology in rural water projects. The study must identify water loss, bottlenecks in sewer systems, and effective models, and make recommendations on water management plans, prioritizing improvements, interoperability, reducing delays and costs, sustainability, and affordability.

Sec. 2, Report: By December 31, 2030, the Comptroller General must report to specified congressional committees on the study results and the outcomes of the grant program.