A new national report is giving communities a clearer roadmap for updating the laws that govern water and sanitation systems as climate impacts intensify. Released by the Pacific Institute and the Center for Water Security and Cooperation (CWSC), the publication outlines the most comprehensive framework yet for assessing whether U.S. water policies are ready for a rapidly changing climate.

The report, titled “Actionable Criteria for Achieving Equitable, Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Laws and Policies,” is the fourth installment in the Water, Sanitation, and Climate Change in the United States series. It’s designed as a practical tool for frontline communities, local officials, Tribal governments, utilities, and state legislators who are trying to strengthen existing laws or create new ones that better protect residents.

The motivation is straightforward: climate disasters are accelerating, but the laws meant to safeguard access to drinking water and sanitation often haven’t kept up. Floods, wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, and severe storms continue to damage water systems, leaving communities with service disruptions that can last weeks.

Alexandra Campbell-Ferrari, executive director of CWSC, said the report aims to make the legal underpinnings of water access more transparent and easier to navigate. “When climate disasters strike, it’s not just homes and roads that are destroyed. Water stops flowing. Toilets stop working. Critical water infrastructure is damaged. And the law is often insufficient to prepare communities to take action to stop harms to people,” she said. This framework, she added, is meant to give mayors, Tribal leaders, legislators, and community advocates the tools to shape a different outcome.

Recent disasters underscore the point. Hurricane Helene in 2024 caused an estimated 37 billion dollars in damage to water and wastewater systems across North Carolina, cutting off running water for thousands of households. In Jackson, Mississippi, flooding in 2022 pushed an already fragile water system past its limits, leaving roughly 160,000 residents without safe drinking water for weeks.

A Framework Built for What Communities Need Now

The new report provides 19 criteria and more than 60 legal strategies organized into six key areas:

• Siting, design, and construction requirements that address climate change. Infrastructure should be built or upgraded using codes that reflect real risks like flooding, wildfire, and drought.
  
  
• Legal protections for water access in frontline communities during climate disruptions. Safeguards help ensure access during droughts, shortages, or emergencies.
  
  
• Climate resilience requirements in planning. Utilities and agencies must account for climate change as part of long-term water and wastewater service planning.
  
  
• Mandatory data collection, monitoring, and reporting. Communities need reliable information, transparency, and avenues for public engagement. Equitable distribution of climate-resilient infrastructure funding.
  
  
• The framework emphasizes fair investment, especially for communities hit hardest by climate impacts. Enforceable laws that minimize climate disruptions. Clear enforcement mechanisms make it possible to hold agencies or operators accountable.

Dr. Shannon McNeeley, associate director for Water and Climate Equity at the Pacific Institute, said the criteria are intentionally flexible. “This report is not prescriptive, rather it outlines the types of legal provisions that can increase the ability of communities to prepare for and recover from climate disruptions to water and sanitation. It shows how legal language connects directly to people’s lived experiences.”

Examples States Can Already Learn From

While many laws lag behind current climate realities, the report points to several real-world cases where updated policies are driving better outcomes:

• New York elevated critical water infrastructure funded through its state revolving fund above federal flood standards after Hurricane Sandy, creating a new benchmark for storm resilience.
  
  
• Montana, Utah, and Pennsylvania adopted the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, which reduces wildfire risks to communities and nearby water infrastructure.
  
  
• New Mexico uses water shortage sharing agreements that encourage collaborative, voluntary redistribution of water during drought emergencies.
  
  
• Texas created a 793 million dollar Flood Infrastructure Fund, with loan and grant programs that prioritize low-income communities for flood mitigation and drainage projects.

Morgan Shimabuku, a senior research specialist at the Pacific Institute, noted that these examples show progress is already underway. “Communities do not have to start from scratch. We already have examples of what success looks like. The key is scaling and adapting these solutions to more communities.”

The report arrives at a moment when climate impacts are becoming more costly and more frequent. Modernizing the laws that govern water and sanitation isn’t just an administrative exercise; it’s central to ensuring safe, reliable service for millions of Americans.

By offering a detailed, practical framework, the Pacific Institute and CWSC hope the report will guide communities toward stronger protections, fairer investment, and better preparedness as climate risks continue to grow.