NGWA
SM
The Groundwater
Association
NGWA SUPPORTS
S.1642 AND
H.R. 3533
THE SAVINGS ACT
The Savings Act aims to
reduce federal, state, and
local costs of providing
quality drinking water to
millions of Americans
residing in rural
communities by facilitating
greater use of well water
systems as a cost-effective
alternative to traditional,
centralized, drinking
water systems.
The latest EPA Drinking
Water Needs survey
indicates more than $384
billion in investment
needed in drinking water
infrastructure over the
next 20 years.
With more than 42 million
Americans relying on
domestically supplied
drinking water from
groundwater, the potential
benefits to them and those
who operate farm-based
and small businesses are
significant.
2016 Groundwater Fly-In
The Water Supply Cost
Savings Act
Issue: The Water Supply Cost Savings Act is bipartisan legislation
introduced in the House and Senate to promote resources and
assistance for rural communities. The legislation has three objectives:
1)To require USDA and EPA to create a drinking water technical
clearinghouse to provide resources on cost-effective, alternative
drinking water systems
2)To establish a self-certification process of local governments or
nonprofit organizations serving 500 persons or fewer that wells
or well systems were considered when applying for a grant for
federal assistance
3)To direct USDA and EPA to report to Congress no later than three
years after the law’s enactment on the use of alternative drinking
water systems.
H.R. 3533 has been introduced in the House by Representatives
Richard Hanna (R-New York) and Jim Cooper (D-Tennessee). In the
Senate, Senators John Boozman (R-Arizona), Jon Tester (D-Montana),
and Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) sponsored companion legislation,
S. 1642.
The legislation is also supported by the Water Systems Council and
the Water Quality Association.
NGWA position: The Savings Act represents an important opportunity
to promote assistance for cost-effective water infrastructure systems for
small communities.
Please consider cosponsoring H.R. 3533 or S. 1642.
For more information visit:
NGWA.ORG
CONTACT: LAUREN SCHAPKER
NGWA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DIRECTOR
202 888.9151 OR LSCHAPKER@NGWA.ORG