Water Resources Technical Assistance Review Act

This bill orders an independent review of how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) helps communities with clean water projects, like wastewater and stormwater systems, and whether that help actually reaches the places that need it most. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must look at what help is available, who gets it, how helpers are chosen and matched to communities, and whether efforts are duplicated or could be done more efficiently, including using cost‑saving technologies. It must also examine how well the EPA’s Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) initiative identifies and supports communities, including poorer areas, and list which places received help, what it cost, and the results. After the review, GAO will send recommendations to Congress, and the EPA must follow up with a plan and regular updates on what it’s doing to improve.

Key points:

• Who is affected: States, Tribes, local governments, and nonprofits that seek help with clean water infrastructure, especially economically distressed communities.
• What changes: A full review of EPA clean‑water technical help, including WaterTA; checks for overlap across programs; how providers are chosen and matched; how well the help builds local capacity; and how agencies coordinate. EPA must report actions it takes to carry out GAO’s recommendations.
• When: GAO begins the review within one year of the law taking effect. After GAO reports to Congress, EPA has 90 days to file a plan, then must provide yearly updates for five years.