New Bill Proposes $15M Annual Grants to Tackle Arsenic & Nitrate in Drinking Water, Prioritizing Underserved Areas

This legislation, the "Removing Nitrate and Arsenic in Drinking Water Act," aims to establish a new grant program under the Safe Drinking Water Act specifically targeting nitrate and arsenic contamination. If funded, the program would authorize $15 million annually starting in fiscal year 2026 to help eligible entities clean up these specific contaminants found in drinking water sources across the United States.

Tapping into Cleaner Water: How the Grants Work

The core of the bill is the creation of the "Nitrate and Arsenic Reduction Grant Program." Eligible applicants include community water systems, certain non-profit organizations, and local or state government agencies. To get a grant, applicants need to show they've identified the source of the nitrate or arsenic problem and have a solid plan for how their project will reduce it. The bill also puts a cap on bureaucracy, limiting administrative overhead to no more than 4% of the total grant funds available each year, ensuring most of the money goes directly to cleanup efforts.

Putting People First: Who Gets Priority?

A key feature of this program is its focus on equity. Priority for grants will be given to "disadvantaged communities," defined using state-specific affordability criteria already established under the Safe Drinking Water Act (section 1452(d)(3)). Projects serving facilities like schools or childcare centers, which cater to vulnerable populations (as described in section 1458(a)(1)), also get top consideration. Funds can be used for practical solutions like installing water treatment technology directly in homes, with a specific directive to prioritize assistance for low-income homeowners and landlords serving low-income renters within these disadvantaged communities. It's worth noting the definition of "low-income" itself will be determined by each state's Governor, which could lead to variations in how this assistance is applied across different states.

Keeping Tabs: Ensuring Fair Access

To make sure the program hits its equity targets, the bill requires the EPA Administrator to conduct a review. This review will assess how well the grant program considers equity, specifically looking at whether it effectively addresses the diverse needs of economically disadvantaged and underserved populations. This oversight aims to ensure the $15 million annual investment makes a real difference in communities struggling most with nitrate and arsenic contamination.