WASHINGTON, DC — Today the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment approved by a vote of 18 to 13 H.R. 5320, the Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2010 (the “AQUA Act”).  This legislation, introduced by Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman Edward J. Markey, will reauthorize and increase funding for the drinking water state revolving fund (SRF) under the Safe Drinking Water Act.  The drinking water SRF provides an important source of funding for U.S. public water systems which are projected to face a significant growth in investment needs as existing infrastructure ages.

“Today we took an important first step in ensuring that our nation’s public water systems can continue to deliver safe and affordable drinking water to all Americans,” said Chairman Waxman.  “The AQUA Act is forward-looking legislation that will help our public water systems meet safe drinking water standards, reduce their environmental impact, and plan for the future.”

  “By increasing the funding for our nation’s aging water infrastructure systems and by placing a new emphasis on cutting-edge technologies, this bill will help to create jobs and ensure a reliable supply of drinking water for many years to come,” said Chairman Markey.  “I’m also pleased that my language to strengthen the EPA’s testing program for potentially harmful endocrine disrupting chemicals was also agreed to.”

The Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act will amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to increase assistance to states, water systems, and disadvantaged communities, strengthen the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) enforcement authority, encourage good financial and environmental management of water systems, reduce lead in drinking water, and strengthen the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program.  The bill will address the expected growth in U.S. water systems infrastructure needs by encouraging water systems to anticipate future replacement and rehabilitation needs.  It will also improve the ability of states to prioritize projects that promote the efficiency, sustainability, and long-term viability of water systems.

The Subcommittee approved a manager’s amendment by voice vote which would direct the EPA to include the preferences of small public water systems when considering technical assistance grants and cooperative assistance to nonprofit organizations, amend the enactment date for reducing lead in water, and clarify provisions related to the EPA’s requirements under the endocrine disruptor screen program.  The Subcommittee also adopted an amendment offered by Rep. Baldwin that would require the EPA to conduct a study and submit a report to Congress on the presence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in sources of drinking water.  Rep. Melancon’s amendment, which would increase the amount of funding set aside for disadvantaged communities and for technical assistance for water systems, was also approved.

 
Additional information on the amendments and the markup is available online here .