,i #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #dgba ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,july #bc1 #bjbe,mr4 ,rouzer 7for himself and ,ms4 ,pingree7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act to establish a grant program to assist with the purchase1 installation1 and maintenance of point-of-entry and point-of-use drinking water quality improvement products1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,healthy ,drinking ,water ,affordability ,act or the ,healthy ,h#b,o ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 clean and safe drinking water is necessary to ensure public health and a vibrant economy2 7#b7 communities that are dependent on private groundwater supplies to meet domestic drinking water needs1 as well as those that continue to experience drinking water infrastructure challenges from public water supplies1 including with infrastructure into and within households and living facilities1 are disproportionately impacted by drinking water quality issues2 7#c7 in many instances1 those communities and their households have been adversely impacted by the presence of #a or more naturally occurring and human-caused contaminants found in drinking water1 such as lead1 arsenic1 nitrate1 nitrite1 and volatile organic compounds1 as well as federally unregulated contaminants1 including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and hexavalent chromium 7chrome-#f71 in local groundwater or other drinking water supplies2 7#d7 public health organizations and institutions1 such as the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 have cited giardia1 enterovirus1 radon1 rotovirus1 norovirus1 shigella1 campylobacter1 salmonella1 hepatitis ,a1 cryptosporidium1 and ,e4 coli as among the major diseases and contaminants that can be present in drinking water sources2 7#e7 investments in projects to improve and support drinking water infrastructure are critically important to addressing water quality in the ,united ,states1 but because those projects can typically take many years to complete1 the current1 and in some cases the ongoing1 needs of communities impacted with immediate drinking water quality challenges cannot be or are not addressed in a timely manner2 7#f7 as an interim measure 7and in some cases in rural areas1 for longer term or permanently71 point-of-entry and point-of-use water quality improvement products are viable solutions to address drinking water contamination challenges for the people of the ,united ,states2 and 7#g7 grants provided under this ,act are intended to provide financial assistance for eligible grant recipients 7as defined in section #cjf;,f7a7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7as added by section #c77 that voluntarily seek to improve the quality of the drinking water of eligible end users 7as defined in that section71 and not to demonstrate that an eligible end user is in compliance with a ,federal1 ,state1 or local primary drinking water standard or regulation4 #c4 ,healthy drinking water affordability assistance program ,subtitle ,a of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act is amended by inserting after section #cjf;,e 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aibf;e7 the following3 #cjf;,f4 ,healthy drinking water affordability assistance program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,approved installation ,the term approved installation means the installation of an eligible drinking water quality improvement product or a certified filter component by a qualified third-party installer that-- 7,a7 complies with all local and ,state regulations2 and 7,b7 follows the installation instructions of the manufacturer4 7#b7 ,approved maintenance ,the term approved maintenance means required maintenance-- 7,a7 performed on an eligible drinking water quality improvement product that includes maintenance and replacement of the certified filter component2 7,b7 performed by a service technician who-- 7i7 is-- 7,i7 professionally qualified1 certified1 or licensed as a water treatment product maintenance professional1 including a professional credentialed through a manufacturer or third party2 7,,ii7 operating under the supervision of a service technician described in subclause 7,i72 7,,iii7 a licensed plumber or a plumber operating under the supervision of a licensed plumbing contractor2 or 7,,iv7 an individual who holds a license or certification related to water treatment technologies issued by a ,state or local government2 and 7ii7 regularly completes continuing education on water treatment technology and other subjects that enhance the services provided under this section2 7,c7 that complies with all local and ,state regulations2 and 7,d7 that follows the maintenance instructions of the manufacturer4 7#c7 ,certified filter component ,the term certified filter component means a replaceable or replacement filter component-- 7,a7 for which approved maintenance can be performed2 and 7,b7 that is certified by a third-party certifier as compliant with-- 7i7 ,,nsf ,p#bca2 7ii7 ,,nsf_/,,ansi ,standard #db1 #dd1 #ec1 #ee1 #eh1 or #dja2 or 7iii7 another successor or relevant consensus-based standard for drinking water treatment units or systems that addresses health contaminant reduction1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#d7 ,eligible drinking water quality improvement product ,the term eligible drinking water quality improvement product means a point-of-use or point-of-entry system-- 7,a7 incorporating a certified filter component2 and 7,b7 that is certified by a third-party certifier to meet standards described in paragraph 7#c77;,b7-- 7i7 for material safety and performance2 and 7ii7 to improve drinking water quality4 7#e7 ,eligible end user ,the term eligible end user means a person or entity located in a rural area 7as defined in section #cdc7;a77#ac77;,b77 that is-- 7,a7 7i7 a homeowner2 7ii7 an individual lessee or renter of a home1 apartment1 or other dwelling2 7iii7 a property owner of a multi-unit residential building with #be or fewer owned1 leased1 or rented dwelling units2 7iv7 a licensed child-care facility2 or 7v7 an owned1 leased1 or rented facility2 and 7,b7 supported by a finding of need through-- 7i7 a qualified water quality test demonstrating the presence of #a or more health contaminants2 or 7ii7 other documentation determined to be satisfactory by the ,secretary demonstrating the presence of #a or more health contaminants4 7#f7 ,eligible grant recipient ,the term eligible grant recipient means-- 7,a7 an eligible end user2 and 7,b7 a nonprofit organization that uses a grant provided under this section for the purposes described in subsection 7c77#b74 7#g7 ,health contaminant ,the term health contaminant means-- 7,a7 a health contaminant found in drinking water1 including lead1 arsenic1 nitrate1 nitrite1 perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances1 hexavalent chromium 7chrome-#f71 and volatile organic compounds2 and 7,b7 any other contaminant-- 7i7 that can be reduced by an eligible drinking water quality improvement product or a certified filter component in accordance with the standards described in paragraph 7#c77;,b72 and 7ii7 7,i7 with respect to which the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency has established-- 7aa7 a primary drinking water regulation 7as defined in section #adja of the ,safe ,drinking ,water ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;f772 7bb7 a maximum contaminant level goal established in accordance with section #adab7;b7 of that ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;g-#a7;b772 or 7cc7 a health advisory issued pursuant to section #adab7;b77#a77;,f7 of that ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;g-#a7;b77#a77;,f772 or 7,,ii7 that is regulated by a ,state agency4 7#h7 ,improve drinking water quality ,the term improve drinking water quality means to improve the quality of the water supplied between its source and human consumption by reducing or removing #a or more health contaminants4 7#i7 ,qualified third-party installer ,the term qualified third-party installer means a person who-- 7,a7 is-- 7i7 a professionally qualified1 certified1 or licensed water treatment product installation professional1 including such a professional credentialed through a manufacturer or third party2 7ii7 a licensed plumber or individual who holds a license or certification related to water treatment technologies issued by a ,state or local government2 or 7iii7 a company or plumbing contractor employing individuals described in clause 7i7 or 7ii72 and 7,b7 regularly completes1 or requires applicable employees to complete1 continuing education on water treatment technology and other subjects that enhance the services provided under this section4 7#aj7 ,qualified water quality test ,the term qualified water quality test means a baseline analysis of the bacterial and chemical characteristics of concern from a drinking water sample collected at the point of consumption and tested by a laboratory certified to conduct water quality testing-- 7,a7 that is provided to-- 7i7 the ,secretary2 and 7ii7 as applicable-- 7,i7 a person seeking a grant under this section2 7,,ii7 an eligible end user receiving a grant under this section2 or 7,,iii7 an eligible grant recipient receiving a grant under this section and any eligible end users served by the eligible grant recipient2 and 7,b7 that includes information that provides-- 7i7 guidance on test interpretation1 including whether the bacteria or chemical characteristic of concern meets or exceeds a prescribed health-based contaminant level2 and 7ii7 sources and citations that eligible grant recipients1 independent third-party organizations and institutions1 and government agencies may review and consult-- 7,i7 to determine available eligible drinking water quality improvement products for addressing detected contaminants2 and 7,,ii7 to evaluate efficacy across eligible drinking water quality improvement products4 7#aa7 ,third-party certifier ,the term third-party certifier means an independent certification body accredited to ,,iso ,standard #agjfe1 ,conformity assessment--,requirements for bodies certifying products1 processes and services1 by an entity domiciled in the ,united ,states that is a signatory to the ,international ,accreditation ,forum ,multilateral ,recognition ,arrangement1 such as the ,water ,quality ,association1 ,,nsf ,international1 the ,international ,association of ,plumbing and ,mechanical ,officials1 and the ,international ,code ,council ,evaluation ,service4 7b7 ,establishment of program ,not later than #abj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall promulgate regulations to establish1 and shall carry out1 a clean drinking water program1 to be known as the ,healthy ,drinking ,water ,affordability ,assistance ,program or the ,healthy ,h#b,o ,program1 to provide grants to eligible grant recipients to improve drinking water quality of eligible end users4 7c7 ,eligible uses of grants 7#a7 ,in general ,a grant under this section shall be used1 as directed by the ,secretary1 for-- 7,a7 the purchase of an eligible drinking water quality improvement product or a replacement certified filter component2 7,b7 the approved installation by a qualified third-party installer of an eligible drinking water quality improvement product2 7,c7 the purchase and approved installation by a qualified third-party installer of a replacement certified filter component2 7,d7 the approved maintenance of an eligible drinking water quality improvement product2 or 7,e7 qualified water quality tests to support products and services described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,d74 7#b7 ,nonprofit organizations ,a nonprofit organization that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant1 in a manner consistent with the uses described in paragraph 7#a7 and as directed by the ,secretary-- 7,a7 to offer qualified water quality tests for eligible end users on a voluntary basis2 7,b7 to facilitate the analysis of qualified water quality test results for eligible end users2 7,c7 to assist an eligible end user in determining the response options available and supporting the selection by the eligible end user of a response that best fits the needs of the eligible end user1 informed by-- 7i7 a qualified water quality test2 and 7ii7 an understanding of the relevant plumbing systems and environmental factors that will impact point-of-use or point-of-entry water safety2 and 7,d7 to coordinate or facilitate the approved installation by a qualified third-party installer of the eligible drinking water quality improvement product selected by an eligible end user4 7d7 ,grant limitations 7#a7 ,amount ,the amount of a grant under this section shall not exceed the reasonable costs1 as determined by the ,secretary1 of the purposes described in subsection 7c7 for which the grant is provided4 7#b7 ,income ,no grant provided under this section shall be used to assist an eligible end user who is a member of a household the members of which have a combined income1 or an eligible end user with business income1 for the most recent #ab-month period for which the information is available1 that is more than #aej percent of the median nonmetropolitan household income for the ,state or territory in which the eligible end user resides1 according to the most recent decennial census of the ,united ,states4 7e7 ,grant administrator ,the ,secretary shall appoint an officer or employee of the ,department of ,agriculture to administer and manage grants provided under this section4 7f7 ,grant allocation ,in providing grants under this section to eligible grant recipients1 the ,secretary shall allocate funds and make grants available in a manner that-- 7#a7 responds to a range of water quality challenges2 7#b7 prioritizes funding to eligible end-users the sources of drinking water of which are private wells2 7#c7 improves local and regional capacity to respond to contamination2 and 7#d7 ensures reasonable access to funds for-- 7,a7 eligible end users seeking a grant under this section2 and 7,b7 nonprofit organizations seeking a grant under this section4 7g7 ,reports ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this section1 and not less frequently than annually thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress1 and make publicly available1 a report-- 7#a7 identifying ongoing barriers to universal safe drinking water prior to and after filtration or other treatment2 7#b7 analyzing conditions impacting eligible grant recipients1 including-- 7,a7 sources of contamination or degradation of water resources1 especially groundwater resources or upstream resources that recharge stores of drinking water2 7,b7 trends in bioaccumulation and attenuation of contaminants and nutrients2 and 7,c7 impacts of infrastructure materials1 crop and land management practices1 waste management1 and other factors that impact drinking water quantity and quality2 7#c7 providing a comprehensive analysis of-- 7,a7 technologies available to and purchased by eligible grant recipients2 and 7,b7 the emerging safe drinking water needs of rural and other homeowners1 renters1 residential multi-unit property owners1 licensed child-care facilities1 and other groups1 as determined by the ,secretary2 7#d7 that includes information describing-- 7,a7 the types of treatment systems and filter components used under the program established under this section2 7,b7 the number of qualified water quality tests conducted under the program established under this section2 7,c7 emerging and changing trends relating to steps taken to ensure safe drinking water in communities and households2 and 7,d7 trends relating to the availability and use of eligible drinking water quality improvement products1 including-- 7i7 affordability at purchase and through the lifecycle of the products2 7ii7 consistency of operation as intended by the manufacturer and installer1 including effectiveness across systems and technologies at achieving stated health protections2 and 7iii7 lifecycle product performance1 energy use1 and environmental impact2 7#e7 providing recommendations regarding the best methods to increase access to-- 7,a7 grants under this section2 and 7,b7 the products and services described in subsection 7c72 7#f7 that incorporates input from relevant-- 7,a7 nongovernmental organizations2 and 7,b7 certification institutions that oversee the criteria for products and training of installation and maintenance professionals2 and 7#g7 the purposes of which are-- 7,a7 to improve data on health contaminants in drinking water2 7,b7 to provide educational resources on water testing and water quality improvement products and services to eligible grant recipients with drinking water contamination issues2 7,c7 to collect information that improves understanding of water testing and water quality improvement products and services1 including their associated health and economic benefits2 and 7,d7 to increase public awareness of water quality issues and treatment options4 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this section #aj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbe through #bjbi4 4