S 3738: MORE WATER Act

S 3738 in plain English: The MORE WATER Act would authorize hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for water infrastructure projects in the western United States, including grants for water conveyance, recycling, and reclamation facilities. The bill sets funding levels across several programs for fiscal years 2028 through 2032 and updates cost thresholds for eligible projects.

Stated purpose

The bill aims to reauthorize a federal program that funds large-scale water recycling and reuse projects, and to create a new Water Conveyance Improvement Program to build, improve, or restore water delivery infrastructure in western U.S. states.

Key points

• Authorizes $500,000,000 for fiscal years 2028–2032 for one water infrastructure program
• Authorizes $550,000,000 for fiscal years 2028–2032 for another reclamation program
• Authorizes $250,000,000 for fiscal years 2028–2032 for additional Interior Department water projects
• Requires conveyance projects costing $800,000,000 or more to qualify as multi-benefit projects
• Raises a project cost threshold from $20,000,000 (1996 prices) to $50,000,000 (December 2025 prices)

Arguments supporters make

• Western states face serious water shortages, and recycling and reusing water helps communities and farms stay supplied even during droughts.
• Upgrading aging or leaky water delivery systems reduces waste and makes existing water supplies go further without needing new sources.
• Directing funding toward low-income and tribal communities ensures the most vulnerable populations get access to safe, reliable water.

Arguments opponents make

• Federal dollars would flow almost entirely to western states, raising fairness concerns for taxpayers in other regions who see little direct benefit.
• Critics may argue that subsidizing water infrastructure encourages continued growth and agriculture in areas that are naturally too dry to sustain them long-term.
• The $450 million authorization adds to federal spending, and there is no guarantee the money will be appropriated or used efficiently given the complexity of large infrastructure projects.

Tradeoffs

Investing federal funds in water recycling and conveyance can stretch scarce water supplies and benefit communities, but it concentrates spending in western states and may reduce pressure on those regions to make harder choices about water consumption and land use.

Current status in Congress: In committee.

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