Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) — Water Program

National environmental nonprofit with a major water program focused on Clean Water Act defense, PFAS, agricultural runoff, and drinking water protection.

NRDC's Water Program is one of the most effective national advocacy operations on water policy in the United States. The organization litigates Clean Water Act cases, testifies before Congress, and files regulatory comments on major federal rulemakings. Its Safe Water Initiative has been particularly influential on lead service line replacement and PFAS regulation. NRDC publishes frequently-updated explainers, toolkits, and advocacy guides that are valuable for local watershed groups. The organization occasionally partners with local groups on major cases or campaigns in their areas. NRDC's analysis of federal funding opportunities (especially IIJA/IRA water infrastructure dollars) has helped local groups access grant programs.