# Understanding the Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2022

Many Native American communities across the United States face a serious problem that most Americans take for granted: access to clean, running water. Nearly half of all households in some Native communities lack reliable water sources or basic indoor plumbing—a situation that's far worse than in other parts of the country. This bill directly addresses that crisis by providing federal funding and support to help tribal nations build, repair, and maintain water systems on their lands.

The bill recognizes that this isn't just an inconvenience—it's a public health emergency. Without clean water, communities struggle with disease, poor health outcomes, and difficulty maintaining basic hygiene. The COVID-19 pandemic made this even more urgent, since hand-washing and sanitation require reliable water access. The bill also acknowledges that the federal government has a legal responsibility to help tribal nations, known as the "trust responsibility," which means the government should ensure Native communities have access to essential services like clean water.

To fix this problem, the bill provides roughly $2.2 billion in new federal funding spread across several agencies. The Indian Health Service gets $750 million to help build water systems for community buildings like schools and hospitals, provide technical assistance to tribes, and pay for the ongoing operation and maintenance of water systems. The Department of Agriculture receives $500 million to help rural Native communities develop and improve water supply systems. The Bureau of Reclamation gets $1 billion for a competitive grant program where tribes can apply for funding to plan, design, and build water projects. Importantly, tribes won't have to match these funds or prove they can't afford the projects themselves—the money is essentially a gift to help solve this crisis.

The bill also extends existing water programs through 2032 and requires federal agencies to work together and coordinate their efforts. This "whole of government" approach means the Indian Health Service, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Reclamation, and Environmental Protection Agency will collaborate to prioritize projects and avoid duplication. For tribes that complete water projects, the bill promises at least five years of continued funding support to ensure the systems stay operational and the investment is protected. In practical terms, this means Native communities will finally have dedicated resources to address a problem that has persisted for decades, potentially bringing running water and sanitation to thousands of households that currently lack these basic necessities.

Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2022

Tribal Access to Clean Water Act of 2022 This bill provides funding for and expands access to water resources for Native communities (i.e., Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian communities). First, the bill provides funding for the Indian Health Service to (1) provide essential sanitation facilities to community structures (e.g., schools, hospitals, and tribal offices) that were not previously considered eligible for such service; (2) provide technical assistance; and (3) operate and maintain water facilities that serve Native communities. Next, the bill provides funding for the Department of Agriculture to provide water and wastewater facility grants to eligible entities (e.g., Native communities) that have residents facing significant health risks due to inadequate water supply systems. The bill specifies that these funds shall not require any matching contribution. In addition, the bill reauthorizes through FY2032 the Bureau of Reclamation's Rural Water Supply Program. Further, the bill provides funding for and establishes a grant program for tribal clean water access projects. It also provides funding for the Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program.