Wastewater Infrastructure Modernization Act
This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to award grants to municipalities for projects at publicly owned treatment works concerning (1) intelligent sewage or stormwater collection systems, or (2) innovative and alternative combined storm and sanitary sewer projects.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3691 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3691
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a smart
wastewater infrastructure technology grant program, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 4, 2021
Ms. Bourdeaux (for herself and Mr. Huffman) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a smart
wastewater infrastructure technology grant program, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Wastewater Infrastructure
Modernization Act''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to upgrade and modernize wastewater (including
stormwater) systems, tackle new contaminants, and support clean
water infrastructure across the United States;
(2) to support the modernization of publicly owned
treatment works to maintain reliable and affordable water
quality infrastructure that addresses demand impacts, including
resiliency to improve public health and natural resources; and
(3) to encourage the utilization of water-efficient
technologies to address the western drought crisis and prepare
for the growing strain population growth and climate change
will have on already over-allocated water supplies.
SEC. 3. SMART WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM.
Title II of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1281
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 222. SMART WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM.
``(a) Grants.--The Administrator shall establish a program to
provide grants to municipalities for projects for the planning, design,
and construction, at publicly owned treatment works, of--
``(1) intelligent sewage or stormwater collection systems,
including such collection systems that incorporate technologies
that rely on--
``(A) real-time monitoring (including through
sensors), embedded intelligence, and predictive
maintenance capabilities that improve the energy
efficiency, reliability, and resiliency of treatment
works; and
``(B) the use of artificial intelligence and other
intelligent optimization tools that reduce operational
costs, including operational costs relating to energy
consumption and chemical treatment; or
``(2) innovative and alternative combined storm and
sanitary sewer projects, including groundwater recharge, that
rely on real-time data acquisition to support predictive
aquifer recharge through water reuse and stormwater management
capabilities.
``(b) Assistance.--The Administrator shall use not less than 20
percent of the amounts appropriated pursuant to this section in a
fiscal year to provide assistance to municipalities with a population
of less than 10,000, to the extent there are sufficient eligible
applications.
``(c) Cost Share.--
``(1) In general.--The non-Federal share of the costs of an
activity carried out using a grant under this section shall be
25 percent.
``(2) Exception.--The Administrator may waive the cost-
sharing requirement of paragraph (1) if the Administrator
determines that the municipality meets the affordability
criteria established under section 603(i)(2) by the State in
which the municipality is located.
``(d) Program Implementation.--
``(1) Guidance.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall issue
guidance to municipalities on how to apply for a grant under
this section.
``(2) Decision on applications.--Not later than 30 days
after the date on which the Administrator receives an
application for a grant under this section, the Administrator
shall determine whether to provide such grant.
``(3) Application deficiency.--If the Administrator
determines that an application for a grant under this section
is incomplete, the Administrator shall notify the applicant and
provide the applicant the opportunity to resubmit the
application.
``(4) Consideration.--In determining whether to provide a
grant under this section, the Administrator shall consider the
potential positive effects of the project on water quality.
``(e) Compliance With Buy America.--The requirements of section 608
shall apply to any project for construction for which assistance is
received under this section.
``(f) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the
Administrator shall submit to Congress a report describing projects
funded under this section, any related improvement of the resiliency of
publicly owned treatment works, and recommendations to improve the
grant program established under this section.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $500,000,000 to carry out this section, to remain
available until expended.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
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