House Legislators Introduce The Safe Drinking Water for Disadvantaged Communities Act

Bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Zachary Nunn (R-Iowa) and Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio) would require that 100 percent of the $15 billion in funds allocated under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for lead service line replacement is distributed to disadvantaged communities in the form of forgivable loans or grants.

The bill, H.R. 4816, the “Safe Drinking Water for Disadvantaged Communities Act,” aims to provide additional support to disadvantaged communities through promoting “activities directly connected to the identification, planning, design, and replacement of lead service lines.”

The General Manager of Des Moines Water Works, Amy Kohler, was quoted in Representative Nunn’s press release, stating: “Des Moines Water Works is grateful for the partnership with Congressman Nunn in addressing the financial challenges of replacing lead service lines. Protecting public health through the replacement of up to 20,000 lead lines in our service area is essential—but the cost is significant. Federal funding for these replacements would provide critical relief to our customers, helping avoid major rate increases tied to this important, federally mandated initiative.”

AMWA is monitoring this legislation and any other proposals regarding lead service line replacements. AMWA has been continuing to advocate for increased funding for the Reducing Lead in Drinking Water grant program and passage of H.R. 3892/S. 2007, the Financing Lead Out of Water Act. To ask your Members of Congress to support the FLOW Act and water infrastructure funding, please visit the association’s Legislative Action Center.