Protect Clean Water: Urgent Actions Needed to Safeguard Your Business
By Liza Lamanna
Congress is voting this week, and the EPA is finalizing rules by January 5, 2026, that could weaken clean water protections your businesses and communities depend on — with real costs that will hit your bottom line.
The “Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today Act” (PERMIT Act) — also known as the “Permission to Pollute Act”— is expected to come up for a vote this week. The bill would significantly narrow federal review of major infrastructure projects, reviews that help ensure communities are protected from pollution and unnecessary risk. At the same time, the EPA has proposed the “Polluted Waters Rule,” narrowing the definition of “Waters of the United States,” and removing Clean Water Act protections from millions of acres of wetlands and streams. This rule follows a public comment period and a series of stakeholder “listening” sessions where polluting industries pushed for weaker standards.
These policies may move through different processes, but the implication is the same: they make it easier for polluting industries to avoid oversight while shifting long-term costs and responsibilities onto the public and your business.
Here’s what’s at stake:
- The PERMIT Act (H.R. 3898) weakens how projects are evaluated for water impacts by shrinking or bypassing environmental review. This means projects could proceed with less state oversight and without assessing downstream impacts on water quality and availability — leaving your business vulnerable to contamination and supply disruptions.
- The “Polluted Water Rule” weakens what waters are eligible for protection by removing federal safeguards from wetlands and streams. Millions of acres of wetlands that filter drinking water for thousands of communities would lose protection. Once these waters lose protection, the pollution and flooding impacts could be permanent.
Together, they create conditions where more pollution can occur with fewer checks, leaving communities and businesses to deal with the consequences.
- Higher water treatment and compliance costs.
Losing protections means more contaminants, including PFAS (“forever chemicals”), enter drinking water and industrial water sources. These chemicals are extremely expensive to remove, driving up water bills, utility costs, and operating expenses for every business in the region. When polluters face fewer checks, the cleanup bill gets passed downstream — directly to you. - More Frequent and Severe Flooding.
Wetlands and small streams are natural flood control infrastructure. When they lose protection, communities see more flooding, more property damage, and more business interruptions. That means higher insurance premiums, costly repairs, and more days when storefronts, warehouses, or job sites simply can’t open. One flood event can cost small businesses tens of thousands in damages and lost revenue. - Infrastructure Strain and Supply Chain Disruptions.
Dirtier water and heavier floods stress local systems and disrupt supply chains. Transportation slows, distribution routes get blocked, and manufacturers face more downtime. Businesses of all sizes risk costly delays and lost revenue with little warning. Your suppliers face the same challenges, creating cascading impacts throughout your operations. - Closures and Revenue Loss across the Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Sectors.
Polluted rivers, unsafe swimming conditions, algal blooms, and murky lakes directly translate to closed beaches, canceled trips, and fewer customers. Outfitters, restaurants, hotels, and seasonal businesses lose essential income when water quality declines, even for a short period. If you depend on tourism or outdoor recreation, contaminated water means canceled bookings. - Crop Loss and Higher Costs for Farmers and Food Businesses.
Farmers depend on clean, reliable water for irrigation and livestock. Contaminated water harms crops, damages soil health, and reduces yields. Flooding destroys fields and infrastructure, while PFAS contamination in water or soil can force entire harvests to be discarded. Food processors and retailers feel these impacts through more volatile prices and supply shortages. Even if you’re not in agriculture, your food costs will increase.
This is the time for advocacy in action. Thanks to your help, ASBN & our allies are circulating a letter to members of Congress with 90 signatures in opposition, but the fight isn’t over yet. We have been building momentum for months, and this is the last big push. Even if you take all three actions, it won’t take long—but it will make a difference.
Actions to Take This Week:
- Call your representatives this week. Let them know that businesses depend on clean, reliable water and expect federal policies to reflect that. Tell them to vote NO on the PERMIT Act (H.R. 3898).
- Submit a comment to the EPA by January 5. Ask them to withdraw the Polluted Waters Rule and uphold the Clean Water Act to protect wetlands, streams, and headwaters.
- Sign on to our collective comment by January 5. Join the ASBN community in this collective comment to the EPA to ensure business perspectives are represented.
Clean water isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s essential infrastructure for business. When polluters avoid oversight, small and midsize businesses pay the price. The full attack on clean water is here, and we cannot sit on the sidelines. Taking action now ensures that federal water policies reflect the needs of the communities and businesses that depend on clean water, rather than the narrow interests of a few polluters.
Your voice matters—add it today and be a voice of impact. Don’t let polluters write the rules that your business has to live with.