S. 1019, 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 nature or human actions. The bill directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to award grants to qualified nonprofit organizations with expertise in emergency response, which would then provide on-site assistance, equipment, planning support, and emergency repairs to rural water systems during and after disasters. Eligible activities include deploying licensed operators, conducting vulnerability assessments, updating emergency response plans, mapping water infrastructure, and helping disadvantaged communities address water system deficiencies. The bill authorizes $20 million annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to fund the program, with a limit that no more than 25 percent of any grant can be used to purchase or lease emergency equipment. This legislation primarily affects rural communities and the nonprofit organizations that would administer the assistance.
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