Summary
Creates a grant program to help people in rural areas afford water tests and filters to make their drinking water safe from harmful things.
What problem does this solve?
Many people in rural areas have unsafe drinking water with harmful things in it, and big projects to fix the water supply can take years to complete. This bill gives money to people and groups to quickly buy, install, and maintain water filters that clean the water right in their homes or buildings.
Who does this affect?
- Rural residents
- Low-to-middle income households
- Licensed child-care facilities
What does this bill do?
Establishes the 'Healthy H2O Program'
Creates a new grant program to help people in rural areas pay for products and services that improve the quality of their drinking water.
Defines who is eligible for grants
Allows homeowners, renters, small multi-unit property owners, and licensed child-care facilities in rural areas with proven water contamination to receive grants.
Sets an income limit for recipients
Restricts grants to households or businesses with an income of no more than 150% of the median non-metropolitan household income for their state.
Specifies how grant money can be used
Permits grants to be used for water quality tests, buying and installing certified water filters, and paying for professional maintenance and replacement filters.
Authorizes funding for the program
Approves $10 million per year from 2025 through 2029 to fund the grant program.
Requires annual reports to congress
Mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to report annually on the program's progress, water quality trends, and barriers to safe drinking water.
What is the real world impact?
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Provides immediate relief for contaminated water
Large-scale water infrastructure projects can take years. This program offers a fast and direct way for people in rural areas to get safe drinking water by using certified filters in their homes and facilities.
When does this start?
The grant program will be created and start running within 120 days after the bill becomes law.
Program funding period
Funding of $10 million per year is authorized for the program for the fiscal years 2025 through 2029.
First annual report due
The first report on the program's progress and water quality issues must be submitted to Congress within one year of the bill becoming law.