The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) directed $30.7 billion specifically towards safe drinking water programs, representing the single-largest investment into water infrastructure in United States history. The law mandates that 49% of funds be provided as grants and forgivable loans to “disadvantaged communities.” Notably, the definition of disadvantaged communities has been left to the discretion of states, allowing variability in how different states identify and prioritize these communities. This study examines how states redefined disadvantaged communities after the BIL, maps their spatial distribution, and analyzes disparities in drinking water funding from 2019 to 2023. Our results suggest that, despite widespread updates to disadvantaged community definitions, racial and ethnic minorities continue to encounter barriers to accessing funding. If policies are aimed to address historical disparities in drinking water investment, definitional delegation appears to fall short, and ongoing engagement with underserved communities may be needed for more equitable infrastructure investment.
Regulation, Evaluation, and Governance Lab