H.R.3934 - Water Quality Standards Attainability Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 3934, the Water Quality Standards Attainability Act, aims to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. It mandates states to hold public hearings for reviewing water quality standards applicable to water bodies receiving discharges from municipal combined storm and sanitary sewers. The bill also requires consideration of cost-effectiveness of combined sewer overflow controls and the feasibility of treatment technologies.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely increase public input and scrutiny regarding water quality standards related to municipal sewer systems. It may lead to adjustments in water quality standards based on cost considerations and available treatment technologies. This could affect the stringency of environmental regulations and the financial burden on municipalities.
Potential Benefits
- Increased public participation in setting water quality standards.
- Consideration of cost-effectiveness in implementing sewer overflow controls.
- Encourages evaluation of available and affordable treatment technologies.
- Could lead to more realistic and achievable water quality standards.
- May reduce the financial strain on municipalities for compliance.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Could potentially weaken water quality standards if cost becomes the primary factor.
- May lead to delays in implementing necessary environmental protections due to extended review processes.
- Risk of prioritizing short-term economic considerations over long-term environmental health.
- Potential for increased lobbying and political influence in the standard-setting process.
- May disproportionately affect communities relying on these water bodies for drinking water or recreation.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble) by addressing water quality, a matter of public health and safety. Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8) provides a basis for federal involvement in water pollution control, as waterways often cross state lines. The requirement for public hearings could also be seen as promoting transparency and citizen participation, aligning with principles of democratic governance, although no specific constitutional provision mandates such hearings at the state level.
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).