联邦一级有限的预算表明，州和地方政府将不得不承担更大的基础设施支出份额。从历史上看，这一点在供水方面是正确的，联邦资金从来没有在供水方面发挥过主导作用，而且在废水处理方面也越来越有可能。可能提供的有限联邦援助可以采取两种形式:针对经济困难地区的定向援助，以及通过大宗赠款和循环贷款基金提供的不受限制的援助。由于国会对这些问题的审议尚未完成，供水管理人员有机会为立法进程做出贡献。包括5个参考文献、图表。

Constrained budgets at the federal level suggest that state and local governments will have to assume a larger share of infrastructure spending. This has been true historically for water supply, for which federal funding has never played a dominant role, and is becoming increasingly likely for wastewater treatment as well. The limited federal assistance that might become available could take two forms: targeted aid to economically distressed areas, and unrestricted aid through block grants and revolving loan funds. Because congressional consideration of these matters remains incomplete, water supply managers have an opportunity to contribute to the legislative process. Includes 5 references, figures.