Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2023

The Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2023 authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide grants, zero or 1 percent interest loans, or loan modifications to eligible rural water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems. This assistance can help systems maintain public health and safety or address financial hardships in economically distressed areas, as determined by a residential affordability measure based on household water costs relative to median income. The bill requires the Secretary to establish this affordability indicator and related factors for determining eligibility. It amends existing law under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to expand flexible financial support options for rural water infrastructure.