This article discusses the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) created by the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) amendments. The article expands on how the funds will provide relief for many water systems that need federal assistance to fund infrastructure improvements in order to comply with the SDWA and related regulations. Topics include: money appropriations; capitalization grants; results of the first drinking water infrastructure needs assessment; and, how the health of the overall federal budget affects the DWSRF. Includes 6 references.