Bill > HR3533

This bill, titled the Water System Cost Savings Act, directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Agriculture to enhance their existing programs that offer technical assistance for drinking water systems. Specifically, these agencies must update their programs to include information on cost-effective, innovative, and alternative drinking water delivery systems, such as those relying on wells. Furthermore, they are required to share information about the cost-effectiveness of these alternative systems, including individual, shared, and community wells, with communities and non-profit organizations that are seeking federal funding for drinking water systems serving 500 or fewer people. For any such community applying for federal or state grants or loans for their drinking water systems, they will need to self-certify that they have considered alternative water supplies sourced from publicly owned wells. The bill also mandates a report to Congress within three years detailing the use and cost savings associated with these alternative systems.