To amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish an emergency preparedness and response technical assistance program to assist entities that operate rural water or wastewater systems in preparing for and responding to natural or man-made disasters.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · September 26, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
S. 2917, the Rural Water System Disaster Preparedness and Assistance Act, establishes a new federal grant program to help rural water and wastewater systems prepare for and respond to disasters caused by natural or man-made events. The program provides funding to qualified nonprofit organizations with expertise in water system emergencies to deliver on-site assistance, equipment, training, and coordination services to rural water systems during disasters. Eligible activities funded by the grants include emergency repairs, vulnerability assessments, disaster planning, damage assessments, and specialized help for disadvantaged communities that lack resources to address water quality and safety issues. The bill authorizes $20 million annually from fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to support these programs, with individual grants limited to no more than 25 percent spent on emergency equipment purchases. The program targets rural water and wastewater system operators and associations that serve small communities, helping them build resilience and recover more effectively when disasters strike.
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