The U.S. House passed a bill Wednesday that authorizes up to $100 million for water infrastructure serving Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

Bilirakis Secures Regional Water Funding Provision

Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., who represents Florida's 12th Congressional District including Palm Harbor and Dunedin, secured the regional water-supply provision in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026. The House approved the bill, H.R. 9497, by a 415-9 bipartisan vote.

The authorization covers water-supply projects in the three counties plus the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa, according to Bilirakis's office.

"I worked closely with our local partners to identify their most pressing water infrastructure and resiliency needs, and I'm pleased that the House-passed WRDA includes each of the priorities we submitted," Bilirakis said in a statement.

WRDA Funds Army Corps Projects Every Two Years

WRDA is Congress's biennial bill authorizing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects for water infrastructure, flood protection, ports and ecosystem restoration. Congress has passed a version every two years since 2014.

Bill Funds Storm Protection Studies Near Tampa

Beyond the $100 million regional authorization, the bill directs the Army Corps to fast-track a feasibility study for hurricane and storm-damage protection at Port Tampa Bay, including McKay Bay. A separate study near MacDill Air Force Base would address storm-damage protection and ecosystem restoration. Both aim to shield critical infrastructure and surrounding communities from storm surge and flooding.

Additional Funding Set for Pasco, Hernando Counties

The legislation also authorizes Army Corps feasibility studies for ecosystem restoration and water-supply improvements in Pasco County and for restoration of the Lower Withlacoochee River Watershed. Separate provisions set aside up to $29.6 million for water and wastewater infrastructure in Hernando County and $400,000 for similar work in Pasco County.

Pinellas County Sought Federal Help for Flooding

The authorization matters locally because Pinellas County has been pushing for federal help with aging flood infrastructure. In August, county commissioners unanimously backed a request for an Army Corps feasibility study of the Lake Tarpon Outfall Structure, built in 1969. Storm surge from Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and Hurricane Debby in 2024 forced extended gate closures and left the county unable to release floodwater for more than 24 hours.

Pinellas County Public Works Director Kelli Hammer Levy told commissioners at the Aug. 16 meeting that the study "is essential to ensure Lake Tarpon continues to receive flood protection and freshwater management benefits the structure was designed to provide."

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has committed about $1.5 million in matching money for the Lake Tarpon study, but the project still needs a federal share requiring congressional support.

Senate Must Still Pass Its Own Version

Authorization does not guarantee funding. WRDA sets a spending ceiling for Army Corps projects; Congress must still appropriate the money in future energy and water development bills. The bill now moves to the Senate, which is working on its own version. A compromise between the two chambers would be needed before the legislation can become law.