The Emergency OASIS Act amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require community water systems to flush their distribution pipes when contamination levels exceed safe limits for more than six months or when water remains stagnant in pipes for longer than six months. The EPA must write regulations establishing these flushing requirements within one year of the bill's enactment. The legislation also expands the EPA's emergency powers to require water systems to test for metalloid contaminants at 10 to 25 percent of service connections and provide alternative water supplies when contamination is detected. If a water system fails to provide alternative supplies within seven days of an emergency order, the EPA can provide them directly and require the water system to reimburse the agency at least double the cost. Additionally, the bill prohibits water systems from raising customer fees or costs to pay for providing alternative water supplies during these emergencies.
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