# Summary of H.R. 10440: Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2024
This bill significantly expands federal funding and requirements for drinking water safety and affordability. It provides approximately $15 billion in infrastructure grants over ten years to help states, territories, and water systems address contamination and aging infrastructure, with particular focus on lead service line replacement, PFAS (forever chemicals) treatment, and assistance to disadvantaged communities. The legislation requires the Environmental Protection Agency to establish national drinking water standards for PFAS, microcystin toxin, 1,4-dioxane, and chromium-6 within specified timeframes, with some regulations required within two years of enactment. Additionally, the bill creates a water affordability program providing $1.5 billion annually through 2034 to help low-income households pay their water bills through grants to states and tribal governments. The bill eliminates small water system variances that previously allowed smaller systems to avoid meeting the same safety standards as larger systems and establishes a citizens' petition process allowing the public to request new drinking water standards based on scientific evidence.