EPA Announces $7 Billion in New WIFIA Funding, Approves Five Major Water Infrastructure Loans

The Environmental Protection Agency has opened new funding through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act to support major drinking water and wastewater upgrades nationwide, while approving five additional loans for critical infrastructure projects.

• By Stasia DeMarco
• November 20, 2025

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday announced the availability of $6.5 billion in new Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act funding for water systems, along with an additional $550 million for states, and approved five new federal loans supporting major water projects in Texas, Illinois, Oregon, and Florida.

The funding is available through a rolling application process. EPA officials said the WIFIA program continues to serve as a critical financing tool to help communities modernize water systems, protect public health, and reduce long-term costs.

“Modernizing and maintaining water infrastructure is essential to ensuring clean and safe water for all Americans and advancing EPA’s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative,” said Jessica Kramer, EPA’s assistant administrator for water. “Communities use these competitive loans to upgrade water infrastructure to benefit residents and businesses while loan payments reimburse the U.S. Treasury.”

The agency’s 2025 Notice of Funding Availability marks the ninth round of WIFIA financing since the program’s launch during the first Trump administration. This year’s round designates $6.5 billion for WIFIA loans and $550 million for state infrastructure financing authorities through the State WIFIA program. EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for both programs.

EPA said priority will be given to projects that support safe drinking water, reduce pollution in U.S. waterways, bolster energy development, advance state and local water priorities, spur innovation, and promote economic growth.

Newly Approved WIFIA Loans

EPA also announced approval of five loans for projects aimed at improving wastewater treatment, drinking water resilience, and system reliability:

• Fort Worth, Texas — A $347 million loan to upgrade wastewater collection and treatment systems and build a new water reclamation facility to support future growth and expand water reuse for industrial and irrigation purposes.
• Pflugerville, Texas — A $176 million loan for a series of drinking water and wastewater improvements, including a new wastewater treatment plant, expansion of collection systems and water main rehabilitation. This is the city’s second WIFIA loan.
• Joliet, Illinois — An $87 million loan to help the city shift from a stressed aquifer to a Lake Michigan water supply and modernize its distribution system to reduce water loss. The city has received three WIFIA loans totaling $395 million.
• Ashland, Oregon — A $73 million loan to build a new drinking water treatment plant that will provide a safer and more resilient supply for the rural community.
• Wilton Manors, Florida — A $28 million loan to replace aging water mains, rehabilitate wastewater lift stations and force mains, and upgrade stormwater drainage to reduce failure risks, particularly during severe weather.

About WIFIA

Created by Congress in 2014, the WIFIA program provides long-term, low-cost loans for nationally and regionally significant water infrastructure projects. The program leverages federal financing with state, local and private investment to accelerate upgrades and reduce overall project costs.

EPA says its rolling selection process allows a broad range of borrowers — including small communities and private entities — to participate. To date, the agency has announced $22 billion in WIFIA financing for 141 projects, supporting more than 160,000 jobs nationwide.