WASHINGTON, DC - The Environment and the Economy Subcommittee, Chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), today approved S. 611, The Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act - companion legislation to H.R. 2853, a bill introduced by Subcommittee Vice Chairman Gregg Harper (R-MS). S. 611 would help alleviate the financial burden EPA’s drinking water regulations have placed on small and rural drinking water supply systems.
S. 611 would:
* Reauthorize the EPA program providing technical assistance to small public water systems.
* Authorize EPA to provide technical assistance programs to small public water systems through grants or cooperative agreements made to non-profit organizations.
Vice Chairman Harper said, “This is an issue of great importance to folks in Mississippi and people all around the country living in rural and small communities. The technical assistance in S. 611 would go a long way in helping these communities comply with federal rules and regulations and ensure they’re meeting the needs of their customers."
Chairman Shimkus added, “Residents of smaller and rural communities work hard to support their families and their local governments. But often these residents work for wages below those of their counterparts in the more urbanized areas, yet their per-customer compliance costs are far higher than in many larger communities. People who live in rural communities deserve every bit of water quality and technical resources that folks who live in densely populated urban centers receive."
Full Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) concluded, “Many smaller and rural communities across the United States, including my home state of Michigan, face significant challenges in replacing, maintaining, and upgrading their aging water infrastructure. This bill would help communities in Southwest Michigan manage increased costs and the burden of meeting complex regulatory requirements under the Safe Water Drinking Act." See Also
* E&C Advances Bill to Boost Drinking Water for Rural America
