Many people in Alabama, a state in the southern United States (U.S.), lack reliable access to clean, affordable drinking water and functioning sewer systems. We looked at which communities are applying for state-managed funding that comes from the U.S. Federal government to improve their water infrastructure. While most water and wastewater systems in the state have requested help, communities with fewer resources are not receiving a representative share. Our findings help local groups and decision-makers understand where the needs are and how funding programs could better serve these communities.