H.R. 2656

119 HR 2656 IH: Removing Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-04-03
 text/xml
 EN
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 I  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  H. R. 2656  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   April 3, 2025   Mrs. Torres of California  (for herself and  Mr. Valadao ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Energy and Commerce    A BILL
To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide grants for nitrate and arsenic reduction projects, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Removing Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act  .
2.
Nitrate and arsenic reduction grant program
(a)
In general
Part E of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j et seq. ) is amended by inserting after section 1459G the following:
1459H.
Nitrate and arsenic reduction grant program
(a)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Arsenic reduction project
The term  arsenic reduction project  means a project or activity the primary purpose of which is to reduce the concentration of arsenic in water for human consumption.
(2)
Eligible entity
The term  eligible entity  means—
(A)
a community water system;
(B)
a nontransient noncommunity water system;
(C)
a qualified nonprofit organization with experience in nitrate or arsenic reduction, as determined by the Administrator; and
(D)
a municipality or State, interstate, or intermunicipal agency, including a special-purpose unit of local government.
(3)
Nitrate reduction project
The term  nitrate reduction project  means a project or activity the primary purpose of which is to reduce the concentration of nitrate in water for human consumption.
(4)
Low-income
The term  low-income , with respect to assistance under subsection (b)(4), has such meaning as may be given the term by the Governor of the State in which the eligible entity is located, based upon the affordability criteria established by the State under section 1452(d)(3).
(5)
Nontransient noncommunity water system
The term  nontransient noncommunity water system  means a noncommunity water system that regularly serves at least 25 of the same persons over a 6 month period, or more, per year.
(b)
Grant program
(1)
Establishment
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator shall establish a grant program to provide assistance to eligible entities for nitrate or arsenic reduction projects in the United States.
(2)
Precondition
As a condition of receipt of assistance under this subsection, an eligible entity shall take steps to identify—
(A)
the source of nitrate or arsenic, as applicable, in the public water system that is subject to human consumption; and
(B)
the means by which the proposed nitrate or arsenic reduction project would meaningfully reduce the concentration of nitrate or arsenic in water provided for human consumption by the applicable public water system.
(3)
Priority application
In providing grants under this subsection, the Administrator shall give priority to an eligible entity that the Administrator determines, based on affordability criteria established by the State under section 1452(d)(3), to be a disadvantaged community and—
(A)
has not been in compliance with the maximum contaminant level of nitrate or arsenic, as applicable, at any time during the 3-year period preceding the date of submission of the application of such eligible entity; or
(B)
proposes to address nitrate or arsenic levels, as applicable, in water for human consumption at a school, daycare, or other facility that primarily serves children or other vulnerable human subpopulation described in section 1458(a)(1).
(4)
Low-income assistance
An eligible entity may use a grant provided under this subsection to purchase and install treatment technology that reduces the amount of nitrate or arsenic, as applicable, in drinking water, with first priority given to assisting disadvantaged communities based on the affordability criteria established by the applicable State under section 1452(d)(3), low-income homeowners, and landlords or property owners providing housing to low-income renters.
(c)
Limitation on use of funds
Not more than 4 percent of funds made available for grants under this section may be used to pay the administrative costs of the Administrator.
(d)
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—
(1)
$15,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; and
(2)
$15,000,000 for each fiscal year thereafter.
 .
(b)
Review
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall conduct a review on the extent the nitrate and arsenic reduction grant program under the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j et seq. ), as added by subsection (a), takes into consideration equity to improve equity outcomes, including taking into consideration the diverse needs of economically disadvantaged and underserved populations.