119-s2436

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2436 Introduced in Senate

    (IS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 S. 2436

To amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish a 
 grant program to assist with the purchase, installation, and 
 maintenance of point-of-entry and point-of-use drinking water quality 
 improvement products, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 July 24, 2025

 Ms. Baldwin (for herself and Ms. Collins) introduced the following 
 bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
 Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

To amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish a 
 grant program to assist with the purchase, installation, and 
 maintenance of point-of-entry and point-of-use drinking water quality 
 improvement products, 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 ``Healthy Drinking Water Affordability 
Act'' or the ``Healthy H2O Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

 Congress finds that--

    (1) clean and safe drinking water is necessary to ensure 
 public health and a vibrant economy;

    (2) communities that are dependent on private groundwater 
 supplies to meet domestic drinking water needs, as well as 
 those that continue to experience drinking water infrastructure 
 challenges from public water supplies, including with 
 infrastructure into and within households and living 
 facilities, are disproportionately impacted by drinking water 
 quality issues;

    (3) in many instances, those communities and their 
 households have been adversely impacted by the presence of 1 or 
 more naturally occurring and human-caused contaminants found in 
 drinking water, such as lead, arsenic, nitrate, nitrite, and 
 volatile organic compounds, as well as federally unregulated 
 contaminants, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl 
 substances and hexavalent chromium (chrome-6), in local 
 groundwater or other drinking water supplies;

    (4) public health organizations and institutions, such as 
 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have cited 
 giardia, enterovirus, radon, rotovirus, norovirus, shigella, 
 campylobacter, salmonella, hepatitis A, cryptosporidium, and e. 
 coli as among the major diseases and contaminants that can be 
 present in drinking water sources;

    (5) investments in projects to improve and support drinking 
 water infrastructure are critically important to addressing 
 water quality in the United States, but because those projects 
 can typically take many years to complete, the current, and in 
 some cases the ongoing, needs of communities impacted with 
 immediate drinking water quality challenges cannot be or are 
 not addressed in a timely manner;

    (6) as an interim measure (and in some cases in rural 
 areas, for longer term or permanently), point-of-entry and 
 point-of-use water quality improvement products are viable 
 solutions to address drinking water contamination challenges 
 for the people of the United States; and

    (7) grants provided under this Act are intended to provide 
 financial assistance for eligible grant recipients (as defined 
 in 

section 306F

    (a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
 Development Act (as added by 

section 3)) that voluntarily seek 
 to improve the quality of the drinking water of eligible end 
 users (as defined in that section), and not to demonstrate that 
 an eligible end user is in compliance with a Federal, State, or 
 local primary drinking water standard or regulation.

SEC. 3. HEALTHY DRINKING WATER AFFORDABILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

 Subtitle A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is 
amended by inserting after 

section 306E (7 U.S.C. 1926e) the following:

``

SEC. 306F. HEALTHY DRINKING WATER AFFORDABILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

 ``

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:
 ``

    (1) Approved installation.--The term `approved 
 installation' means the installation of an eligible drinking 
 water quality improvement product or a certified filter 
 component by a qualified third-party installer that--
 ``
        (A) complies with all local and State 
 regulations; and
 ``
        (B) follows the installation instructions of the 
 manufacturer.
 ``

    (2) Approved maintenance.--The term `approved 
 maintenance' means required maintenance--
 ``
        (A) performed on an eligible drinking water 
 quality improvement product that includes maintenance 
 and replacement of the certified filter component;
 ``
        (B) performed by a service technician who--
 ``
            (i) is--
 ``
            (I) professionally qualified, 
 certified, or licensed as a water 
 treatment product maintenance 
 professional, including a professional 
 credentialed through a manufacturer or 
 third party;
 ``
            (II) operating under the 
 supervision of a service technician 
 described in subclause
            (I) ;
 ``
            (III) a licensed plumber or a 
 plumber operating under the supervision 
 of a licensed plumbing contractor; or
 ``
            (IV) an individual who holds a 
 license or certification related to 
 water treatment technologies issued by 
 a State or local government; and
 ``
            (ii) regularly completes continuing 
 education on water treatment technology and 
 other subjects that enhance the services 
 provided under this section;
 ``
            (C) that complies with all local and State 
 regulations; and
 ``
            (D) that follows the maintenance instructions of 
 the manufacturer.
 ``

    (3) Certified filter component.--The term `certified 
 filter component' means a replaceable or replacement filter 
 component--
 ``
        (A) for which approved maintenance can be 
 performed; and
 ``
        (B) that is certified by a third-party certifier 
 as compliant with--
 ``
            (i) NSF P231;
 ``
            (ii) NSF/ANSI Standard 42, 44, 53, 55, 
 58, or 401; or
 ``
            (iii) another successor or relevant 
 consensus-based standard for drinking water 
 treatment units or systems that addresses 
 health contaminant reduction, as determined by 
 the Secretary.
 ``

    (4) Eligible drinking water quality improvement 
 product.--The term `eligible drinking water quality improvement 
 product' means a point-of-use or point-of-entry system--
 ``
        (A) incorporating a certified filter component; 
 and
 ``
        (B) that is certified by a third-party certifier 
 to meet standards described in paragraph

    (3)
        (B) --
 ``
            (i) for material safety and performance; 
 and
 ``
            (ii) to improve drinking water quality.
 ``

    (5) Eligible end user.--The term `eligible end user' 
 means a person or entity located in a rural area (as defined in 
 

section 343

    (a)

    (13)
        (B) ) that is--
 ``
        (A)
            (i) a homeowner;
 ``
            (ii) an individual lessee or renter of a home, 
 apartment, or other dwelling;
 ``
            (iii) a property owner of a multi-unit 
 residential building with 25 or fewer owned, leased, or 
 rented dwelling units;
 ``
            (iv) a licensed child-care facility; or
 ``
            (v) an owned, leased, or rented facility; and
 ``
        (B) supported by a finding of need through--
 ``
            (i) a qualified water quality test 
 demonstrating the presence of 1 or more health 
 contaminants; or
 ``
            (ii) other documentation determined to be 
 satisfactory by the Secretary demonstrating the 
 presence of 1 or more health contaminants.
 ``

    (6) Eligible grant recipient.--The term `eligible grant 
 recipient' means--
 ``
        (A) an eligible end user; and
 ``
        (B) a nonprofit organization that uses a grant 
 provided under this section for the purposes described 
 in subsection
            (c) (2) .
 ``

    (7) Health contaminant.--The term `health contaminant' 
 means--
 ``
        (A) a health contaminant found in drinking water, 
 including lead, arsenic, nitrate, nitrite, 
 perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, 
 hexavalent chromium (chrome-6), and volatile organic 
 compounds; and
 ``
        (B) any other contaminant--
 ``
            (i) that can be reduced by an eligible 
 drinking water quality improvement product or a 
 certified filter component in accordance with 
 the standards described in paragraph

    (3)
        (B) ; 
 and
 ``
            (ii) 
            (I) with respect to which the 
 Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
 Agency has established--
 ``

    (aa) a primary drinking water 
 regulation (as defined in 

section 1401 
 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 
 U.S.C. 300f));
 ``

    (bb) a maximum contaminant level 
 goal established in accordance with 
 

section 1412

    (b) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 
 300g-1

    (b) ); or
 ``
            (cc) a health advisory issued 
 pursuant to 

section 1412

    (b)

    (1)
        (F) of 
 that Act (42 U.S.C. 300g-1

    (b)

    (1)
        (F) ); 
 or
 ``
            (II) that is regulated by a State agency.
 ``

    (8) Improve drinking water quality.--The term `improve 
 drinking water quality' means to improve the quality of the 
 water supplied between its source and human consumption by 
 reducing or removing 1 or more health contaminants.
 ``

    (9) Qualified third-party installer.--The term `qualified 
 third-party installer' means a person who--
 ``
        (A) is--
 ``
            (i) a professionally qualified, 
 certified, or licensed water treatment product 
 installation professional, including such a 
 professional credentialed through a 
 manufacturer or third party;
 ``
            (ii) a licensed plumber or individual who 
 holds a license or certification related to 
 water treatment technologies issued by a State 
 or local government; or
 ``
            (iii) a company or plumbing contractor 
 employing individuals described in clause
            (i) or
            (ii) ; and
 ``
        (B) regularly completes, or requires applicable 
 employees to complete, continuing education on water 
 treatment technology and other subjects that enhance 
 the services provided under this section.
 ``

    (10) Qualified water quality test.--The term `qualified 
 water quality test' means a baseline analysis of the bacterial 
 and chemical characteristics of concern from a drinking water 
 sample collected at the point of consumption and tested by a 
 laboratory certified to conduct water quality testing--
 ``
        (A) that is provided to--
 ``
            (i) the Secretary; and
 ``
            (ii) as applicable--
 ``
            (I) a person seeking a grant 
 under this section;
 ``
            (II) an eligible end user 
 receiving a grant under this section; 
 or
 ``
            (III) an eligible grant recipient 
 receiving a grant under this section 
 and any eligible end users served by 
 the eligible grant recipient; and
 ``
        (B) that includes information that provides--
 ``
            (i) guidance on test interpretation, 
 including whether the bacteria or chemical 
 characteristic of concern meets or exceeds a 
 prescribed health-based contaminant level; and
 ``
            (ii) sources and citations that eligible 
 grant recipients, independent third-party 
 organizations and institutions, and government 
 agencies may review and consult--
 ``
            (I) to determine available 
 eligible drinking water quality 
 improvement products for addressing 
 detected contaminants; and
 ``
            (II) to evaluate efficacy across 
 eligible drinking water quality 
 improvement products.
 ``

    (11) Third-party certifier.--The term `third-party 
 certifier' means an independent certification body accredited 
 to ISO Standard 17065, `Conformity assessment--Requirements for 
 bodies certifying products, processes and services', by an 
 entity domiciled in the United States that is a signatory to 
 the International Accreditation Forum Multilateral Recognition 
 Arrangement, such as the Water Quality Association, NSF 
 International, the International Association of Plumbing and 
 Mechanical Officials, and the International Code Council 
 Evaluation Service.
 ``

    (b) Establishment of Program.--Not later than 120 days after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall promulgate 
regulations to establish, and shall carry out, a clean drinking water 
program, to be known as the `Healthy Drinking Water Affordability 
Assistance Program' or the `Healthy H2O Program', to provide grants to 
eligible grant recipients to improve drinking water quality of eligible 
end users.
 ``
            (c) Eligible Uses of Grants.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--A grant under this section shall be 
 used, as directed by the Secretary, for--
 ``
        (A) the purchase of an eligible drinking water 
 quality improvement product or a replacement certified 
 filter component;
 ``
        (B) the approved installation by a qualified 
 third-party installer of an eligible drinking water 
 quality improvement product;
 ``
            (C) the purchase and approved installation by a 
 qualified third-party installer of a replacement 
 certified filter component;
 ``
            (D) the approved maintenance of an eligible 
 drinking water quality improvement product; or
 ``
        (E) qualified water quality tests to support 
 products and services described in subparagraphs
        (A) through
            (D) .
 ``

    (2) Nonprofit organizations.--A nonprofit organization 
 that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant, 
 in a manner consistent with the uses described in paragraph

    (1) and as directed by the Secretary--
 ``
        (A) to offer qualified water quality tests for 
 eligible end users on a voluntary basis;
 ``
        (B) to facilitate the analysis of qualified water 
 quality test results for eligible end users;
 ``
            (C) to assist an eligible end user in determining 
 the response options available and supporting the 
 selection by the eligible end user of a response that 
 best fits the needs of the eligible end user, informed 
 by--
 ``
            (i) a qualified water quality test; and
 ``
            (ii) an understanding of the relevant 
 plumbing systems and environmental factors that 
 will impact point-of-use or point-of-entry 
 water safety; and
 ``
            (D) to coordinate or facilitate the approved 
 installation by a qualified third-party installer of 
 the eligible drinking water quality improvement product 
 selected by an eligible end user.
 ``
            (d) Grant Limitations.--
 ``

    (1) Amount.--The amount of a grant under this section 
 shall not exceed the reasonable costs, as determined by the 
 Secretary, of the purposes described in subsection
            (c) for 
 which the grant is provided.
 ``

    (2) Income.--No grant provided under this section shall 
 be used to assist an eligible end user who is a member of a 
 household the members of which have a combined income, or an 
 eligible end user with business income, for the most recent 12-
 month period for which the information is available, that is 
 more than 150 percent of the median nonmetropolitan household 
 income for the State or territory in which the eligible end 
 user resides, according to the most recent decennial census of 
 the United States.
 ``

    (e) Grant Administrator.--The Secretary shall appoint an officer 
or employee of the Department of Agriculture to administer and manage 
grants provided under this section.
 ``

    (f) Grant Allocation.--In providing grants under this section to 
eligible grant recipients, the Secretary shall allocate funds and make 
grants available in a manner that--
 ``

    (1) responds to a range of water quality challenges;
 ``

    (2) prioritizes funding to eligible end-users the sources 
 of drinking water of which are private wells;
 ``

    (3) improves local and regional capacity to respond to 
 contamination; and
 ``

    (4) ensures reasonable access to funds for--
 ``
        (A) eligible end users seeking a grant under this 
 section; and
 ``
        (B) nonprofit organizations seeking a grant under 
 this section.
 ``

    (g) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this section, and not less frequently than annually thereafter, the 
Secretary shall submit to Congress, and make publicly available, a 
report--
 ``

    (1) identifying ongoing barriers to universal safe 
 drinking water prior to and after filtration or other 
 treatment;
 ``

    (2) analyzing conditions impacting eligible grant 
 recipients, including--
 ``
        (A) sources of contamination or degradation of 
 water resources, especially groundwater resources or 
 upstream resources that recharge stores of drinking 
 water;
 ``
        (B) trends in bioaccumulation and attenuation of 
 contaminants and nutrients; and
 ``
            (C) impacts of infrastructure materials, crop and 
 land management practices, waste management, and other 
 factors that impact drinking water quantity and 
 quality;
 ``

    (3) providing a comprehensive analysis of--
 ``
        (A) technologies available to and purchased by 
 eligible grant recipients; and
 ``
        (B) the emerging safe drinking water needs of 
 rural and other homeowners, renters, residential multi-
 unit property owners, licensed child-care facilities, 
 and other groups, as determined by the Secretary;
 ``

    (4) that includes information describing--
 ``
        (A) the types of treatment systems and filter 
 components used under the program established under 
 this section;
 ``
        (B) the number of qualified water quality tests 
 conducted under the program established under this 
 section;
 ``
            (C) emerging and changing trends relating to 
 steps taken to ensure safe drinking water in 
 communities and households; and
 ``
            (D) trends relating to the availability and use 
 of eligible drinking water quality improvement 
 products, including--
 ``
            (i) affordability at purchase and through 
 the lifecycle of the products;
 ``
            (ii) consistency of operation as intended 
 by the manufacturer and installer, including 
 effectiveness across systems and technologies 
 at achieving stated health protections; and
 ``
            (iii) lifecycle product performance, 
 energy use, and environmental impact;
 ``

    (5) providing recommendations regarding the best methods 
 to increase access to--
 ``
        (A) grants under this section; and
 ``
        (B) the products and services described in 
 subsection
            (c) ;
 ``

    (6) that incorporates input from relevant--
 ``
        (A) nongovernmental organizations; and
 ``
        (B) certification institutions that oversee the 
 criteria for products and training of installation and 
 maintenance professionals; and
 ``

    (7) the purposes of which are--
 ``
        (A) to improve data on health contaminants in 
 drinking water;
 ``
        (B) to provide educational resources on water 
 testing and water quality improvement products and 
 services to eligible grant recipients with drinking 
 water contamination issues;
 ``
            (C) to collect information that improves 
 understanding of water testing and water quality 
 improvement products and services, including their 
 associated health and economic benefits; and
 ``
            (D) to increase public awareness of water quality 
 issues and treatment options.
 ``

    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $10,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.''.
 <all>