Modify State Contaminant Response

Summary#

This bill changes part of the Safe Drinking Water Act that covers the State response to contaminants program. It updates wording in section 1459A(j) and adds a new eligibility rule. The Administrator may give a grant to a State when the State asks on behalf of certain communities or on behalf of owners of drinking water wells that are not public water systems and are not connected to a public water system. The new rule says a State can request a grant for a community that the State finds is disadvantaged under the State's affordability rules, or a community that could become disadvantaged because of the cleanup activity. It also allows grants for communities with fewer than 10,000 people if the Administrator finds the community cannot take on enough debt to pay for the work.

What it means for you#

• If you live in a small town or a community your State calls "disadvantaged," your State may now apply for these federal grants for drinking water contaminant response.
• If you own a private drinking water well that is not part of a public water system and not connected to one, the State may be able to get a grant to help you.
• If you work for a State agency, the bill gives clearer rules about when the State can ask for grants on behalf of communities or private well owners.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs, funding amounts, or required appropriations is included in the bill text or metadata provided.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information on proponents' statements or arguments is included in the bill text or metadata provided.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opponents' statements or arguments is included in the bill text or metadata provided.