Removing Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2656

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Environmental Protection

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-05-21T08:06:47Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation aims to improve drinking water quality by funding projects that reduce nitrate and arsenic contamination, particularly in underserved communities. It addresses health risks from these contaminants, which can cause serious issues like developmental problems in children or cancer, by amending the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to create a new grant program.

Key Provisions

• Grant Program Establishment: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will create a program to award grants for "nitrate reduction projects" (activities reducing nitrate levels in drinking water) and "arsenic reduction projects" (activities reducing arsenic levels in drinking water).
• Eligible Recipients: Grants go to community water systems (public systems serving homes), nontransient noncommunity water systems (systems serving the same group of at least 25 people for six months or more, like schools or offices), qualified nonprofits experienced in contaminant reduction, and local or state government agencies.
• Application Requirements: Applicants must identify the contamination source and explain how their project will significantly lower nitrate or arsenic in water used by people.
• Priorities for Funding:
• Disadvantaged communities (based on state-defined affordability criteria under existing SDWA rules) that have violated federal nitrate or arsenic limits in the past three years.
• Projects targeting water at schools, daycares, or facilities serving children or other vulnerable groups (e.g., pregnant people or the elderly).
• Allowed Uses: Funds can buy and install water treatment technology, with top priority for disadvantaged communities, low-income homeowners, and property owners renting to low-income tenants.
• Funding Limits: No more than 4% of grant money can cover EPA administrative costs.
• Authorization: $15 million is authorized for fiscal year 2026 and each year after.
• Equity Review: The EPA must review how the program promotes fairness, especially for economically disadvantaged and underserved groups, to ensure diverse needs are met.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a new section (1459H) to Part E of the SDWA, creating a dedicated grant program focused on nitrate and arsenic—contaminants not previously targeted by a specific federal grant mechanism.
• Builds on existing SDWA affordability criteria (from section 1452) for prioritizing low-income and disadvantaged areas but introduces equity-focused review and child/vulnerable population priorities not explicitly detailed before.
• No changes to overall SDWA enforcement or standards; it supplements them with targeted funding.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The EPA gains new responsibilities for administering grants and conducting an equity review, potentially increasing workload but with capped administrative spending. States and local agencies may see more federal support for water infrastructure.
• Citizens: Improves access to safer drinking water, especially for low-income and rural communities in agricultural areas (common sources of nitrate from fertilizers and arsenic from natural deposits). Could reduce health risks and treatment costs for affected households.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the program is U.S.-focused, though it may indirectly support global water quality standards by demonstrating U.S. commitment to contaminant reduction.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Water Providers: Public and nontransient water systems, which must comply with contaminant rules and can apply for funds to upgrade infrastructure.
• Communities and Individuals: Low-income and disadvantaged populations, children in schools/daycares, and renters/homeowners in contaminated areas benefit most from prioritized assistance.
• Nonprofits and Governments: Qualified organizations and local/state agencies can lead or support projects, expanding their role in water safety.
• EPA and Regulators: Oversees implementation, funding, and equity assessments.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens SDWA enforcement through voluntary grants rather than mandates, avoiding new regulatory burdens. Ties into existing federal contaminant standards (e.g., maximum levels for nitrate at 10 mg/L and arsenic at 10 µg/L), ensuring projects align with health-based rules.
• Constitutional: Supports equal protection principles by prioritizing underserved groups, promoting environmental justice without raising federalism concerns (as it involves voluntary state/local participation).
• Political: Highlights bipartisan focus on public health and rural/agricultural water issues (introduced by representatives from California, a high-contamination state). Could influence future infrastructure bills by setting a model for contaminant-specific funding, though actual funding depends on congressional appropriations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]

Cosponsors (5)

Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-03: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-04-03: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-03: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Removing Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act — issued 2025-04-03 — PDF (5 pages)