This bill expands federal assistance for rural communities facing water emergencies. It amends existing farm and rural development law to broaden what types of water infrastructure projects qualify for federal emergency grants, now including facilities for potable water, wastewater, storm drainage, and solid waste management. The bill also increases the population threshold for communities eligible to receive these grants from 10,000 residents to 35,000 residents, making more rural areas eligible for funding. Additionally, the legislation temporarily exempts portable water treatment and filtration equipment from federal environmental permitting requirements for six months following a state emergency declaration, allowing communities to quickly deploy emergency water treatment without bureaucratic delays. The bill was introduced in August 2025 and referred to the House committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Agriculture for consideration.
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