Environment (Drinking Water) in United States

in committee · United States · House Feb 28, 2025

HR 773: To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to repeal certain provisions relating to the acceptance and use of contributions for public-private partnerships, and for other purposes.

HR 773 amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to remove specific provisions related to public-private partnerships. It repeals language referencing "public-private partnerships" in Section 1241(f) and modifies how non-Federal funds can be used for conservation programs. The bill allows the Secretary to create sub-accounts under conservation programs (administered under subtitle D) to accept and use non-Federal funds, directing these funds specifically to those programs' sub-accounts instead of general accounts. This change directly affects conservation programs funded through the Secretary's administration under the Food Security Act. The bill focuses on streamlining the handling of contributions for these programs without creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation Drinking Water

in committee · United States · Senate Sep 4, 2025

S 2713: American Energy Security Act of 2025

This bill creates federal grants to help community and municipal utilities repair or replace aging natural gas pipelines. It directly affects publicly owned gas systems by funding projects to reduce leaks, improve safety, and prepare for alternative energy transport. Grants can cover pipeline repairs, equipment purchases, and must prioritize job creation and benefits for disadvantaged communities. The bill authorizes $200 million annually (2026-2029) from general revenues, with limits on funding per utility and strict requirements for civil rights and environmental compliance.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Pipeline Infrastructure Utility Regulation Drinking Water

in committee · United States · House Jun 26, 2025

HR 4168: PFAS National Drinking Water Standard Act of 2025

This bill makes the Environmental Protection Agency's existing April 2024 rule on PFAS limits in drinking water legally binding. It codifies the EPA's "PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation" (89 Fed. Reg. 32532), which sets enforceable limits for specific PFAS chemicals in public water systems. The rule directly affects municipal water providers and communities relying on public water sources by requiring them to meet these new contaminant standards. The bill does not create new standards but formally adopts the EPA's previously issued rule into law.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · United States · House Jun 11, 2025

HR 3862: Clean Water SRF Parity Act of 2025

HR 3862, the Clean Water SRF Parity Act of 2025, expands eligibility for Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) assistance to include qualified nonprofit entities and privately owned treatment works operators. The bill adds provisions allowing nonprofits to receive SRF funds for constructing, acquiring, or improving treatment works, and creates a new section (l) for privately owned treatment works to access funds for upgrades, water conservation, energy efficiency, security measures, and other specified activities. Crucially, it requires that financial assistance for private operators must primarily benefit the end-users served by the treatment works, not the shareholders or owners. This directly affects nonprofits managing water infrastructure and private utility companies operating treatment facilities, ensuring SRF funds support community water needs under defined conditions.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · United States · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 3460: PFAS Accountability Act of 2025

The PFAS Accountability Act of 2025 creates a federal legal cause of action for individuals significantly exposed to PFAS chemicals (linked to cancer, immune harm, and other health issues), allowing lawsuits against manufacturers or users who foresaw exposure risks. It establishes a presumption of significant exposure based on location near PFAS sources or blood test results, and enables courts to order medical monitoring for affected individuals to detect PFAS-related health problems. The bill shifts the costs of medical monitoring from victims to the responsible polluters and encourages new research into PFAS health effects. It does not replace existing state legal claims or remedies.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

in committee · United States · House Nov 17, 2025

HR 6060: SAFE Taps Act

The SAFE Taps Act creates a federal grant program to replace lead service lines and aging drinking water mains, directly aiding local governments, public water systems, and tribal communities. It covers costs for replacing lead pipes, galvanized steel/iron lines downstream of lead, and non-lead drinking water mains, while requiring projects to follow prevailing wage standards. Unlike existing loan-based programs, this grant approach aims to help financially strained communities that cannot access loans for EPA-mandated infrastructure upgrades. The bill responds to the EPA’s finding that 9.2 million lead service lines pose serious health risks, particularly to children.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

in committee · United States · House Aug 13, 2025

HR 4961: Public Utility Remediation and Enhancement for Water Act

HR 4961, the Public Utility Remediation and Enhancement for Water Act, creates a federal grant program to help municipal water systems address harmful chemicals like PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) in drinking water. The bill authorizes $200 million annually (2026-2028) to fund 75% of costs for planning, building, or upgrading treatment systems to prevent or treat these emerging contaminants. It directly affects publicly owned water treatment facilities by providing financial support to comply with federal water pollution standards for these chemicals. The program requires states to manage grants similarly to existing water fund programs, with non-federal funds covering the remaining 25% through local or private sources.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · United States · House Oct 25, 2025

HR 5834: Critical Water Supplies for Resilient Communities Act

This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to create permanent federal grants for alternative water source projects, directly affecting communities facing water scarcity or drought risks. It redefines "critical water supply needs" to include publicly engaged plans for comprehensive water supply or drought resiliency, replacing the previous "pilot program" structure. The legislation requires the Administrator to annually report to Congress on funded projects, detailing how each addresses identified water supply needs. These changes shift the program from a temporary pilot to a sustained grant mechanism with specific eligibility criteria and transparency requirements.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2025

HR 3126: Promoting Submetering for Affordable Housing Act

HR 3126, the Promoting Submetering for Affordable Housing Act, increases tax credits for affordable housing projects that implement water submetering. It adds a 5% credit increase to the eligible basis for buildings with four or more units that use submeters for individual tenant billing and provide tenants access to meter readings within 72 hours of a request. This applies to projects receiving housing credit allocations after the bill's enactment. The law directly affects affordable housing developers and property owners who build or renovate qualifying properties to meet these submetering requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

in committee · United States · House Nov 19, 2025

HR 6075: Water Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2025

The Water Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2025 amends federal water law to define and support "intelligent water infrastructure technology," including real-time monitoring systems, AI-driven wastewater optimization tools, leak detection sensors, and advanced metering for conservation. It directly affects municipal water systems and utilities by expanding eligible uses for federal grants - allowing funds for implementing these technologies (like predictive aquifer recharge systems) while prohibiting grants for planning or maintenance. The bill increases annual grant funding from $25 million to $50 million (starting in 2028) and requires annual reports to Congress on funded projects and their resiliency improvements. This creates a clear pathway for communities, especially disadvantaged ones, to access federal support for modernizing aging water infrastructure through data-driven solutions.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality Artificial Intelligence

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