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The Protect Clean Water Act aims to strengthen efforts to address emerging contaminants in drinking water and wastewater systems by significantly increasing federal funding through existing state revolving fund programs. Specifically, it amends the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize $1 billion annually from 2027 through 2031 for grants focused on cleaning up contaminants such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are chemicals linked to health risks and are difficult to remove from water supplies.

The bill requires that at least 25% of these funds be directed to small and disadvantaged communities, recognizing that these areas often lack the resources to address complex water pollution challenges. States will prioritize projects based on their own assessments of need, ensuring funds target the most critical contamination issues. The bill also clarifies that the new funds cannot be used to increase state borrowing capacity through tax-exempt bonds, focusing the money strictly on grants for remediation efforts.

By providing dedicated and increased funding, this legislation could help improve water quality and public health, especially in vulnerable communities. However, the effectiveness will depend on how states allocate funds and manage cleanup projects. The bill primarily affects state and local water authorities, small and disadvantaged communities, and ultimately residents who rely on safe drinking water.