Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act; Healthy H2O Act
Summary
The Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act aims to establish a grant program assisting with the purchase, installation, and maintenance of point-of-entry and point-of-use drinking water quality improvement products. This program focuses on communities dependent on private groundwater supplies or facing public water supply infrastructure challenges. The bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to implement this program.
Expected Effects
The Act will provide financial assistance to eligible grant recipients for improving drinking water quality for eligible end users. This includes funding for water quality testing, purchasing and installing water filtration systems, and maintaining those systems. The Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with establishing and managing the program, including setting regulations and allocating funds.
Potential Benefits
- Improved access to clean and safe drinking water, especially in rural areas.
- Reduced exposure to health contaminants like lead, arsenic, and PFAS.
- Support for homeowners, renters, and childcare facilities in addressing water quality issues.
- Creation of jobs related to water quality testing, installation, and maintenance of filtration systems.
- Increased awareness and understanding of water quality issues through required reporting and educational resources.
Potential Disadvantages
- The program's effectiveness depends on proper implementation and oversight by the Department of Agriculture.
- Limited funding may not address all needs, potentially leading to prioritization challenges.
- Income restrictions may exclude some households facing water quality issues.
- Reliance on point-of-use systems may not address broader infrastructure problems.
- Potential for delays in program implementation due to the regulatory process.
Constitutional Alignment
The Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). It promotes the health and well-being of citizens by addressing drinking water quality issues. The Act's focus on rural areas also aligns with the federal government's role in supporting infrastructure and services in underserved communities. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or liberties.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).