Sponsors (6)
The bill directs a focused, accountable federal grant stream to reduce nitrate and arsenic in drinking water—helping disadvantaged communities and child-serving facilities—while relying on modest annual funding and future appropriations that may leave many systems underserved and impose compliance or cost-shifting burdens on small providers and property owners.
Low-income households and disadvantaged communities will gain access to federally funded treatment projects that can reduce nitrate and arsenic in drinking water, lowering exposure and improving health and safety.
Public water systems and nonprofit operators will receive a dedicated federal funding stream ($15 million per year) to implement contaminant-reduction projects, supporting infrastructure upgrades and local implementation.
Schools, daycares, and facilities serving children or other vulnerable populations are prioritized for funding, reducing exposure risks for children and other high-risk groups sooner.
All program benefits depend on future congressional appropriations; if Congress does not appropriate funds, communities receive no new federal assistance under the program.
The authorized $15 million per year is modest relative to nationwide treatment needs, so many contaminated systems—especially large or widespread problems—may remain underserved.
Requiring applicants to identify contaminant sources and demonstrate meaningful reductions could disadvantage small or resource‑limited water systems that lack technical capacity to meet those application or reporting requirements.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates an EPA grant program to fund projects that reduce nitrate and arsenic in drinking water, prioritizing disadvantaged and low-income communities and authorizing $15M/year starting FY2026.
Introduced April 3, 2025 by Norma Judith Torres · Last progress April 3, 2025
Creates a new EPA grant program to fund projects that reduce nitrate and arsenic in drinking water, prioritizing disadvantaged and low-income communities and systems that serve children or other vulnerable populations. Grants can pay for purchasing and installing treatment technology, require applicants to identify contaminant sources and how the project will reduce concentrations, and authorize $15 million per year beginning in FY2026 (subject to annual appropriations). The EPA may use up to 4% of program funds for administration and must review how the program serves equity and underserved populations.