Bill > S1642

This bill, known as the Water Supply Cost Savings Act, aims to reduce costs for providing drinking water, especially in rural communities, by promoting the use of more affordable and innovative systems. It requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Agriculture to update their existing programs that offer technical assistance for drinking water systems. These updates will include information on cost-effective, innovative, and alternative drinking water delivery methods, such as wells and well systems. The bill also mandates that the EPA and the Department of Agriculture share information about the cost-effectiveness of these alternative systems with communities and non-profit organizations that are seeking federal funding for drinking water systems serving 500 or fewer people. Furthermore, any application for federal or state assistance for drinking water systems serving 500 or fewer individuals must include a self-certification that the applicant has considered alternative water sources, specifically individual, shared, and community wells. Finally, the bill requires a report to Congress within three years detailing the use of these alternative systems, their cost savings, and the effectiveness of the technical assistance programs.