Summary
Creates a grant program to help states fund advanced wastewater treatment projects, especially in communities that need extra help.
What problem does this solve?
Some communities, especially those with less money, struggle to afford modern systems to clean their wastewater. This bill creates a grant program to give states money to help these communities build and improve their water treatment facilities.
Who does this affect?
- Disadvantaged communities
- State and local governments
- Rural and tribal communities
What does this bill do?
Establishes a new grant program
Creates a program run by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to give grants to states for advanced wastewater treatment projects.
Authorizes $1 billion in funding
Approves $1 billion to be spent on the grant program for the years 2026 through 2030.
Prioritizes disadvantaged communities
Requires at least 49 percent of the funds to be used for projects that serve disadvantaged, rural, small, or tribal communities.
Waives cost-sharing for disadvantaged communities
Removes the requirement for communities to pay for 50 percent of the project cost if they are a qualified disadvantaged community.
Requires a study on new water contaminants
Directs the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study how well new treatment technologies capture emerging contaminants like PFAS.
What is the real world impact?
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Improves public health and the environment
Provides funding for advanced wastewater treatment projects to remove harmful substances from water, protecting both human health and local ecosystems from pollution.
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Stimulates local economies
Funds large infrastructure projects, which can create construction and engineering jobs in the communities that receive the grants.
When does this start?
The grant program and study will begin after the bill is signed into law, with specific deadlines for reports.
Interim report on treatment technologies
An interim report on the study of advanced wastewater treatment technologies must be made public within 3 years of the bill becoming law.
Final report on treatment technologies
A final report on the study must be made public within 5 years of the bill becoming law.