U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) have introduced the Futureproofing Local Operations for Water Systems (FLOWS) Act of 2026, legislation designed to help rural water utilities improve operational reliability while strengthening cybersecurity through targeted federal funding.
The proposal would establish a competitive grant program administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to support the modernization of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems in rural communities through digital technologies. The bill authorizes $50 million annually for projects focused on utilities serving small populations, particularly systems with fewer than 3,300 residents.
The legislation focuses specifically on digital technologies that support the operation, monitoring and planning of water infrastructure, such as:
- Remote sensing and monitoring technologies, including flow and pressure monitoring systems, real-time monitoring platforms and acoustic data collection tools used to detect water losses, identify damaged infrastructure and improve operational efficiency.
- Industrial control systems, including supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems used to monitor and control water and wastewater operations.
- Artificial intelligence and embedded intelligence tools, as well as other optimization technologies aimed at improving system performance and infrastructure management.
- Digital engineering and modelling tools, including hydraulic analysis software, digital design applications and advanced digital design and construction management software used to develop digital models and engineering plans.
The legislation also allows funding for cybersecurity training and technical assistance to help rural utilities reduce vulnerabilities in digital water infrastructure technologies. Across the United States, many rural water providers face a combination of aging infrastructure, limited staffing and increasing operational costs. These challenges can make it difficult for smaller utilities to deploy the digital tools commonly used by larger systems to identify leaks, manage pressure, track water quality and prevent service disruptions. The limitations can affect reliability and leave communities more exposed to cyber risks.
The proposal has drawn support from organizations including the National Rural Water Association, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, American Society of Civil Engineers and the Arkansas Rural Water Association, as well as companies such as Bentley Systems, Autodesk, Grundfos and Xylem.
