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Watersense® Program: Congressional Authorization [March 8, 2019]
From the Document: "WaterSense is a voluntary labeling program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to encourage the development and use of water-efficient products and services. Through WaterSense, EPA develops water efficiency specifications for products, certain services, and homes; licenses third-party certification bodies; and maintains a registry of WaterSense-labeled products and certified services."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2019-03-08
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PFAS and Drinking Water: Selected EPA and Congressional Actions [Updated August 20, 2019]
From the Document: "Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are fluorinated chemicals that have been used in an array of commercial, industrial, and U.S. military applications for decades. Some of the more common applications include nonstick coatings, food wrappers, waterproof materials, and fire suppressants. Detections of some PFAS in drinking water supplies and uncertainty about potential health effects associated with exposure to particular PFAS above certain concentrations have increased calls for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address these substances in public water supplies. For those few PFAS for which scientific information is available, animal studies suggest that exposure to particular substances above certain levels may be linked to various health effects, including developmental effects; changes in liver, immune, and thyroid function; and increased risk of some cancers. In 2009, EPA listed certain PFAS for formal evaluation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to determine whether regulations may be warranted. EPA has not issued drinking water regulations for any PFAS but has taken various actions to address PFAS contamination."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Tiemann, Mary
2019-08-20
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PFAS and Drinking Water: Selected EPA and Congressional Actions [Updated January 23, 2020]
From the Introduction: "This report provides an overview of EPA's ongoing and proposed actions to address PFAS [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances] under SDWA [Safe Drinking Water Act] authorities, with particular focus on the statutory process for evaluating PFAS--particularly PFOA [particularly perfluorooctanoic acid] and PFOS [perfluorooctane sulfonate]--for potential regulation. It also reviews PFAS-related legislation introduced in the 116th Congress, with emphasis on bills that would amend SDWA. This report does not address the status of scientific research on health effects that may be associated with exposure to one or more PFAS, nor does it discuss federal actions regarding other environmental statutes, such as the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Tiemann, Mary
2020-01-23
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PFAS and Drinking Water: Selected EPA and Congressional Actions [July 2, 2019]
From the Document: "Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are fluorinated chemicals that have been used in an array of commercial, industrial, and U.S. military applications for decades. Some of the more common applications include nonstick coatings, food wrappers, waterproof materials, and fire suppressants. Detections of some PFAS in drinking water supplies and uncertainty about potential health effects associated with exposure to particular PFAS above certain concentrations have increased calls for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA )to address these substances in public water supplies. For those few PFAS for which scientific information is available, animal studies suggest that exposure to particular substances above certain levels may be linked to various health effects, including developmental effects; changes in liver, immune,and thyroid function; and increased risk of some cancers. In 2009, EPA listed certain PFAS for formal evaluation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to determine whether regulations may be warranted. EPA has not issued drinking water regulations for any PFAS but has taken various actions to address PFAS contamination."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Tiemann, Mary
2019-07-02
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Regulating Drinking Water Contaminants: EPA PFAS Actions [Updated February 26, 2020]
From the Document: "The 116th Congress has held hearings and passed legislation directing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other departments and agencies to take a range of actions to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. EPA actions to respond to PFAS contamination under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) have received significant attention. The National Defense Authorization Act for FY2020 (NDAA, P.L. 116-92) amended SDWA to increase PFAS monitoring and authorize appropriations for grants to address PFAS in public water supplies, among other PFAS provisions. Over the past decade, EPA has been evaluating several PFAS under SDWA to determine whether national drinking water regulations are warranted for one or more of these substances. On February 20, 2020, EPA announced preliminary decisions to develop SDWA regulations for the two most frequently detected PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). This In Focus outlines EPA actions to address PFAS under SDWA and reviews related legislation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary; Humphreys, Elena H.
2020-02-26
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Controlling Lead in Public Drinking Water Supplies [September 4, 2019]
From the Document: "Communities nationwide are facing a range of issues associated with aging water infrastructure, including detection of elevated lead levels in drinking water. In affected communities, drinking water is a source of lead exposure. Other sources of lead exposure include lead-based paint and contaminated soil and dust from deteriorated lead-based paint. Nationally, the phaseouts of leaded gasoline and lead-based paint, along with other regulatory controls, have reduced lead exposures. Since the late 1970s, overall blood lead levels in children (ages one to five) have declined an estimated 94%. However, because of lead's toxicity, even at low levels, reducing lead exposures from drinking water and other sources remains a public health priority."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2019-09-04
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Regulating Drinking Water Contaminants: EPA PFAS Actions [Updated January 21, 2020]
From the Document: "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) efforts to address the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water has been the focus of increased congressional attention. Over the past decade, EPA has been evaluating several PFAS under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to determine whether national drinking water regulations may be warranted. EPA has not issued SDWA regulations for any PFAS but has taken other actions to address PFAS in drinking water. The 116th Congress has held hearings and passed legislation directing EPA and other departments and agencies to take a range of actions to address PFAS contamination. In February 2019, EPA issued a PFAS Action Plan (EPA 823R18004), which discusses EPA's efforts to address PFAS under multiple environmental laws. This In Focus outlines the agency's activities to address PFAS using SDWA authorities and reviews related legislative actions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Tiemann, Mary
2020-01-21
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Federal Role in Responding to Potential Risks of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) [October 23, 2019]
From the Document: "Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large, diverse group of fluorinated compounds that have been used in numerous commercial, industrial, and U.S. military applications. Among other uses, PFAS have been used in fire-fighting foams and in the processing and manufacture of many commercial products (e.g., nonstick cookware, stain- and water-resistant fabrics). PFAS are persistent in the environment, and studies of several PFAS suggest that exposures above certain levels may lead to adverse health effects. [...] This report focuses on federal authorities under which EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] and other agencies have taken actions to address potential risks of PFAS. It does not discuss other laws under which EPA or other agencies may take additional actions, or actions under state laws. The report begins with a brief discussion of the chemical properties, uses, and varying risks of PFAS, followed by discussions of federal actions, relevant legislation enacted in the 115th Congress, and relevant legislation in the 116th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bearden, David M.; Yen, Jerry H.; Tiemann, Mary . . .
2019-10-23
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Water Infrastructure Financing: The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program [Updated May 1, 2019]
From the Introduction: "Water infrastructure issues, particularly regarding funding, continue to receive attention from some Members of Congress and a wide array of stakeholders. Localities are primarily responsible for providing wastewater and drinking water infrastructure services. According to the most recent estimates by states and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), expected capital costs for such facilities total $744 billion over a 20-year period. 1 While some analysts and stakeholders debate whether these estimates understate or overstate capital needs, most agree that the affected communities face formidable challenges in providing adequate and reliable water infrastructure services."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Tiemann, Mary
2019-05-01
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America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-270): Drinking Water Provisions [March 28, 2019]
From the Document: "Congress has long deliberated on the condition of drinking water infrastructure and drinking water quality as well as the financial and technical challenges some public water systems face in ensuring the delivery of safe and adequate water supplies. Several events and circumstances-- including source water contamination incidents; water infrastructure damage from natural disasters, such as hurricanes; detection of elevated lead levels in tap water in various cities and schools; and the nationwide need to repair or replace aging drinking water infrastructure--have increased national attention to these issues. America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA; P.L. 115-270), enacted on October 23, 2018, contains provisions that seek to address these and other water infrastructure concerns."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2019-03-28
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Federally Supported Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment Programs [Updated May 3, 2019]
From the Introduction: "This report provides background information on the types of water supply and wastewater treatment projects traditionally funded by the federal government and the several existing programs to assist communities with water supply and wastewater treatment. For more than four decades, Congress has authorized and refined several programs to help communities address water supply and wastewater problems. The agencies that administer these programs differ in multiple ways. For example, in terms of funding mechanisms, projects developed by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) typically require direct, individual project authorizations from Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Boyd, Eugene; Cowan, Tadlock . . .
2019-05-03
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WIFIA Program: Background and Recent Developments [April 26, 2019]
From the Document: "To promote development of and private investment in water infrastructure projects, the 113th Congress authorized the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-121, Title V; 33 U.S.C. §§3901-3914). Initially established as a five-year pilot program, WIFIA authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to provide credit assistance--secured or direct loans--for a range of water infrastructure projects. The 115th Congress made several changes to the WIFIA program in America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA; P.L. 115-270), enacted on October 23, 2018."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2019-04-26
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COVID-19 and Public Water Service Continuity [Updated May 13, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased attention to several issues regarding the provision of public water services. These include long-standing water-rate affordability concerns, the importance of clean water to public health, and the financial sustainability of some public water systems (whether publicly or privately owned). The spread of COVID-19 has raised specific concerns regarding the continuity of residential water services needed to support hand-washing and other public health measures--particularly as more customers may become unable to pay water bills because of job losses or reduced income. At the same time, water service providers are projecting substantial revenue losses related to COVID-19. Policy options being discussed to alleviate such impacts and help ensure the continuity of water service include providing temporary assistance to households and/or water systems."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Tiemann, Mary
2020-05-13
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WIFIA Program: Background and Recent Developments [Updated June 2, 2020]
From the Document: "The Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 authorized the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program to promote development of and private investment in water infrastructure projects (33 U.S.C. §§3901-3914). Initially established as a five-year pilot program, WIFIA authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to provide credit assistance in the form of secured or direct loans for a range of water infrastructure projects. Capital improvements for drinking water and wastewater systems protect public health and support local economies. They typically require major investments. Based on its most recent surveys, EPA estimates that the wastewater and drinking water infrastructure capital investment needed to meet Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act objectives exceeds $744 billion over 20 years. This amount does not include costs to extend services to accommodate population growth or to repair infrastructure not linked to compliance and related health and environmental goals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2020-06-02
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Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA): Water System Security and Resilience Provisions [March 1, 2021]
From the Document: "The disruption of a safe and reliable water supply remains a long-standing concern related to the protection of public health. Several events have increased congressional attention to water system security and resilience from events that could disrupt the provision of water supply. [...]To address both intentional acts and extreme weather that may threaten water systems, Congress added several provisions to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to support the safety of water supplies and resilience of water systems."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2021-03-01
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Regulating Contaminants Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) [Updated March 3, 2021]
From the Summary: "Concerns about drinking water quality have resulted in congressional attention to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), particularly on the process for evaluating contaminants for potential regulation. Detections of unregulated contaminants in public water supplies in numerous states have raised concerns about the quality of drinking water and increased congressional interest in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) response to such detections. Additionally, concerns about the detection of regulated contaminants, such as lead, have raised concerns about the effectiveness of certain existing regulations. SDWA is the key federal law that authorizes EPA to promulgate regulations to control contaminants in public water supplies. "
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2021-03-03
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Water Service Issues and COVID-19: Recent Congressional Funding [April 2, 2021]
From the Document: "Several water service issues have garnered increased congressional attention during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic. Among these, some are long-standing concerns over household water-rate affordability and the condition of municipal water infrastructure. Other issues have emerged as water systems and/or local governments have experienced COVID-19-related revenue shortages, which may affect water systems' operations, maintenance, and/or financial sustainability. During the pandemic, Congress has enacted a number of proposals to address these and other issues. To address water-rate affordability, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (P.L. 116-260) provided $638 million for water or wastewater rate assistance on behalf of low-income households. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA; P.L. 117-2) included another $500 million for such assistance, and provided $350 billion for state and local governments for COVID-19-related purposes, among them water or sewer infrastructure investments. This Insight briefly reviews water system financial practices, and identifies some challenges for water service providers and their customers raised by the pandemic. It also discusses recent congressional actions to address these issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Perl, Libby
2021-04-02
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Controlling Lead in Public Drinking Water Supplies [Updated February 3, 2022]
From the Document: "Communities may face a range of issues associated with aging water infrastructure, including elevated lead levels in tap water. Because of lead's toxicity, even at low levels, reducing lead exposures from drinking water and other sources remains a public health priority. Other sources of lead exposure include lead-based paint and contaminated soil and dust from deteriorated lead-based paint. Nationally, the phaseouts of leaded gasoline and lead-based paint, along with regulatory controls and technical changes, have reduced lead exposures. Since the late 1970s, overall blood lead levels in children (ages one to five) have declined an estimated 94%."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2022-02-03
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Infrastructure Financing Program (CWIFP): Status and Issues [Updated May 3, 2022]
Form the Document: "In the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (WIFIA 2014, Title V, Subtitle C of P.L. 113-121; 33 U.S.C. §§3901-3914, as amended [hyperlink]), Congress authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to provide credit assistance to specified eligible entities, in the form of secured or direct loans, for water resource projects. WIFIA 2014 authorized an analogous program for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [hyperlink] for water projects outside of USACE mission areas (see CRS [Congressional Research Service] In Focus IF11193, 'WIFIA Program: Background and Recent Developments'). This Insight focuses on the USACE program, which USACE refers to as the Civil Works Infrastructure Financing Program [hyperlink] (CWIFP)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Humphreys, Elena H.; Normand, Anna E.
2022-05-03
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Regulating Drinking Water Contaminants: EPA PFAS Actions [Updated May 26, 2022]
From the Document: "The detection of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in some public water supplies has generated public concern and increased attention to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) actions to respond to PFAS using Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorities. For more than a decade, EPA has been evaluating PFAS under SDWA to determine whether a national drinking water regulation is warranted for one or more of these substances. In March 2021, EPA finalized determinations to develop SDWA regulations for the two most frequently detected PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) (86 'Federal Register' 12272). EPA's determination triggers a SDWA requirement to propose a regulation within 24 months (e.g., by March 2023 for PFOA and PFOS), and finalize the rule within 18 months of the proposal. In EPA's October 2021 'PFAS Strategic Roadmap,' the agency states that it intends to propose a PFOA and PFOS drinking water regulation by fall 2022, and finalize the rule by fall 2023. In addition, the 116 th Congress enacted legislation directing EPA to increase PFAS monitoring in water supplies, and authorizing appropriations for grants to address PFAS in public water supplies, among other provisions. The 117th Congress provided appropriations for such grants."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2022-05-26
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Federally Supported Projects and Programs for Wastewater, Drinking Water, and Water Supply Infrastructure [Updated August 24, 2021]
From the Introduction: "This report focuses on programs that support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects and also municipal and industrial (M&I) water supply projects and activities. This report generally does not address water projects and programs for irrigation, flood control, hydroelectricity, and recreation. However, in some cases [...], a federal program or agency (e.g., Reclamation and USDA) may primarily support one or more of these other objectives while providing some support for M&I activities, even if only incidentally. Other federal authorities (e.g., those of Reclamation and USACE [U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]) may be available to assist with the provision of emergency water and wastewater needs, such as improving access to water supplies during a drought. Such authorities are generally not discussed in this report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Lawhorn, Julie M.; Normand, Anna E. . . .
2021-08-24
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Regulating Contaminants Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) [Updated January 5, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Detections of contaminants (e.g., per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS] and 1,4-dioxane) in public water supplies have raised questions about the quality of drinking water and increased congressional interest in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) efforts to regulate contaminants under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Congress enacted SDWA in 1974 to address the quality of public drinking water supplies and protect public health. A key part of the act is the authority for EPA to regulate contaminants in public water supplies. Since enactment, Congress has revised the act's process for contaminant regulation twice, in 1986 and in 1996. The 1996 amendments established specific contaminant identification, assessment, and regulatory determination processes for the purpose of focusing regulatory resources and requirements toward contaminants of greatest public health concern. [...] This report discusses the SDWA provisions relevant to how EPA evaluates contaminants to determine whether a contaminant warrants a 'national primary drinking water regulation' (NPDWR), provides an overview of the regulatory development process, and analyzes certain issues that may affect implementation of this section. In addition to the agency's work related to contaminant regulation, EPA has issued other SDWA regulations applicable to public water systems. These include regulations to reduce lead content in drinking water pipes and plumbing and to increase consumer information and public notification about drinking water quality and compliance. The report is primarily limited to EPA's implementation of the process outlined in SDWA Section 1412 'National Drinking Water Regulations' for evaluating contaminants for regulation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2022-01-05
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PFAS and Drinking Water: Selected EPA and Congressional Actions [Updated January 7, 2022]
From the Introduction: "The detection of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in some public water supplies has generated public concern and increased congressional attention to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) efforts to address these substances. Over the past decade, EPA has been evaluating several PFAS under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to determine whether national drinking water regulations may be warranted. Using SDWA authorities, EPA issued nonenforceable health advisories for two PFAS--perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)--in drinking water in 2016. In March 2021, EPA made a determination to issue drinking water regulations for PFOA and PFOS. [...] The 117th Congress has taken up legislation to address PFAS in a range of contexts. On July 21, 2021, the House passed H.R. 2467, the PFAS Action Act of 2021. As passed, H.R. 2467 would direct EPA to promulgate PFAS drinking water regulations on an accelerated timeline. Additionally, some bills would establish grant programs to assist communities in addressing PFAS. Enacted in November 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA; P.L. 117-58) provides emergency appropriations for a grant program for public water systems to address PFAS and other emerging contaminants that was authorized by the 2020 NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act]. [...] This report provides an overview of EPA's actions to address PFAS under SDWA authorities, with particular focus on the statutory process for evaluating and regulating two PFAS--PFOA and PFOS--in drinking water. This report does not address the status of scientific research on health effects that may be associated with exposure to one or more PFAS, nor does it discuss federal actions regarding other environmental statutes, such as the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2022-01-07
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Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure [Updated January 4, 2022]
From the Summary: "In recent years, multiple events have increased attention to the condition of the nation's local drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, and the financial challenges that communities confront in maintaining, repairing, or replacing aging water infrastructure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the capital cost of wastewater and drinking water infrastructure needed to meet federal water quality and safety requirements and public health objectives exceeds $744 billion over a 20-year period. Congressional interest in expanding federal funding for local drinking water and wastewater infrastructure has also increased in recent years. [...] This report discusses the drinking water and wastewater infrastructure provisions in IIJA [Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act]. Drinking water and wastewater-relevant provisions of the act include the following: [1] Emergency supplemental appropriations to the SRF [State Revolving Fund] programs, which represent a substantial increase over recent regular appropriations for these programs; in particular, the level of DWSRF [Drinking Water State Revolving Fund] appropriations average $6.14 billion per fiscal year, nearly six times the level of recent DWSRF annual appropriations; the majority of the supplemental funding for the DWSRF program are dedicated to lead line replacement. [2] Nearly half of the supplemental funding for the SRF programs is directed to principal forgiveness or grants, in contrast to subsidized loans, the traditional instrument of the SRF programs. [3] Supplemental appropriations to address emerging contaminants: $4 billion for the DWSRF program and $1 billion for the CWSRF [Clean Water State Revolving Fund] program over five fiscal years. [4] Authority for EPA to establish multiple new grant programs to address a range of specific objectives, including assistance to specific communities, improvements in resilience to natural hazards and cybersecurity vulnerabilities, among others. [5] Modifications in funding authority and eligibility to several existing EPA funding programs, including the SRF programs and grant programs that address specific concerns, including affordability."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Ramseur, Jonathan L.
2022-01-04
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Infrastructure Financing Program (CWIFP): Status and Issues [Updated December 2, 2021]
From the Document: "In the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (WIFIA 2014, Title V, Subtitle C of P.L. 113-121; 33 U.S.C. §§3901-3914, as amended [hyperlink]), Congress authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to provide credit assistance to specified eligible entities, in the form of secured or direct loans, for water resource projects. WIFIA 2014 authorized an analogous program for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for water projects outside of USACE mission areas (see CRS In Focus IF11193, WIFIA Program: Background and Recent Developments [hyperlink]). This Insight focuses on the authorization, funding, and issues for Congress related to the USACE program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Normand, Anna E.; Humphreys, Elena H.
2021-12-02
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Drought in the United States: Science, Policy, and Selected Federal Authorities [Updated February 8, 2022]
From the Introduction: "Drought--a deficiency of moisture that results in adverse impacts--occurs to some extent almost every year in areas of the United States. Drought has the potential to create economic and environmental impacts on local, regional, and national scales, as well as disruptions in water supplies for households and communities. For example, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates the United States has experienced 29 billion-dollar drought events since 1980, at an estimated total cost of over $285.5 billion. Although droughts are a component of climate variability and may be seasonal, multiyear, or multi-decadal in duration, variable precipitation and rising temperatures are intensifying droughts in some regions. Severe droughts in California from 2012 to 2016, as well as widespread drought in the western United States in 2021, have raised the profile of drought and led to increasing congressional and administrative proposals to prepare for and respond to its impacts. [...] This report provides an overview of drought in the United States, including information on drought science, monitoring, and forecasts and on drought types and intensity classifications. It also discusses federal authorities related to drought planning and response, with a focus on selected water-related agricultural, environmental, and natural resource-related authorities with explicit ties to drought. It does not discuss broader disaster-related authorities and their potential nexus to drought, such as the programs and authorities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and interactions between drought and other hazards and concerns (e.g., wildfire, dust, and public health)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stern, Charles V.; Lipiec, Eva; Humphreys, Elena H. . . .
2022-02-08
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WaterSense® Program: Congressional Authorization [Updated June 25, 2020]
From the Document: "WaterSense is a voluntary labeling program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to encourage the development and use of water-efficient products and services. Through WaterSense, EPA develops water efficiency specifications for products, certain services, and homes; licenses third-party certification bodies;and maintains a registry of WaterSense-labeled products and certified services. EPA initially established WaterSense in 2006. The 115th Congress authorized and expanded WaterSense in America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA; P.L. 115-270), Section 4306 (42 U.S.C. §6294b)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.
2020-06-25
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EPA Water Infrastructure Funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 [July 24, 2020]
From the Summary: "As part of the federal response to the 'Great Recession,' Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA, P.L. 111-5) to stimulate the economy and address a range of other policy objectives. ARRA included tax relief and incentives and provided hundreds of billions of dollars in mandatory and discretionary spending, including funding for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects. As Congress considers options to mitigate the economic impacts of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), infrastructure funding is receiving increased attention. ARRA implementation experience may be relevant as policymakers consider options to stimulate the economy through increased infrastructure spending. ARRA delivered wastewater and drinking water infrastructure funding primarily through two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) programs--the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Humphreys, Elena H.
2020-07-24
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COVID-19 and Regulation of Public Drinking Water [March 26, 2020]
From the Document: "During infectious disease outbreaks, questions regarding public water supplies may emerge, as a safe and adequate water supply is a key component to protecting public health. As the United States and other countries respond to the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), questions may arise regarding the potential for the COVID-19 virus to be present in public water supplies. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that 'Americans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual.' To support water providers and others in addressing COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 19, 2020, issued interim guidance on water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management for the COVID-19 virus. The guidance states that the COVID-19 virus has not been detected in water supplies and that the risk to water supplies is low based on current evidence."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Tiemann, Mary
2020-03-26
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COVID-19: Selected Public Water Service Issues [April 15, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased attention to several issues regarding the provision of public water services. These include long-standing water-rate affordability concerns, the importance of clean water to public health, and the financial sustainability of some public water systems (whether publicly or privately owned). The spread of COVID-19 has raised specific concerns regarding the continuity of residential water services needed to support hand-washing and other public health measures--particularly as more customers may become unable to pay water bills because of job losses or reduced income. Policy options being discussed to alleviate such impacts and help ensure the continuity of water service include providing temporary assistance to households and/or water systems."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Humphreys, Elena H.; Tiemann, Mary
2020-04-15
