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H.R. 1579House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Secure and Resilient Water Systems Act

Sponsored by Scott H. PetersRep. Scott H. Peters (D-CA)
Introduced March 16, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 1:46 PM UTC

The Secure and Resilient Water Systems Act would require community drinking‑water systems to evaluate how climate change, pollution, and intentional attacks could affect their source water and distribution networks, and then create plans to protect against those risks. The EPA would issue guidance, and a new grant program would help water utilities fund resiliency projects, especially those facing the greatest threats.

Key Provisions

  • Within two years of the law’s enactment, each community water system must submit a vulnerability assessment that identifies threats from industrial activity, agriculture, oil and gas, climate‑related events, and intentional contamination or sabotage.
  • Assessments must compare current disinfection methods with alternatives that could lower identified risks, and must be updated at least every five years.
  • Within four years, systems must submit protection plans that outline mitigation strategies and emergency response actions for the threats identified, also to be reviewed and revised at least every five years.
  • The EPA Administrator must provide guidance for preparing assessments and plans within one year of enactment.
  • A grant program (2018‑2022) will fund up to 50% of project costs for resiliency improvements, prioritizing high‑risk systems and innovative approaches such as water reuse, decentralized technologies, and ecosystem‑based solutions.
  • The EPA must report to Congress on the program’s progress every three years, and $50 million is authorized for each fiscal year of the grant program.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.

Environment Subcommittee

March 17, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 16, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

March 16, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.

Environment Subcommittee

March 17, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 16, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1579

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 16, 2017

Mr. Peters (for himself, Mr. Pallone, and Mr. Tonko) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To require drinking water systems to assess and address their vulnerabilities to climate change, source water degradation, and intentional acts to ensure security and resiliency.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Secure and Resilient Water Systems Act.

2.

Climate resiliency, security, and source water protection planning

Section 1433 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300i–2) is amended to read as follows:

1433.

Climate resiliency, security, and source water protection

(a)

Source water and distribution system vulnerability assessments

(1)

In general

Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of the Secure and Resilient Water Systems Act, each community water system shall submit to the Administrator source water and distribution system vulnerability assessments.

(2)

Identification of threats

Assessments submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall identify—

(A)

threats to the community water system’s source water from industrial activity, pipelines and storage tanks, contaminated sites, agricultural activity, and oil and gas exploration;

(B)

threats to the community water system’s source water and distribution system from climate change, extreme weather, drought, and temperature changes; and

(C)

threats to the community water system’s source water and distribution system from intentional acts, including intentional contamination, sabotage, and theft of any chemical of interest (as designated under Appendix A to part 27 of title 6, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto).

(3)

Assessment of alternatives

Assessments submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include a comparison of the disinfection methods used by the community water system and reasonably available alternative disinfection methods, including a determination of whether reasonably available alternative disinfection methods could reduce the community water system’s vulnerability to the threats identified pursuant to paragraph (2).

(4)

Periodic review and resubmission

Each community water system submitting a vulnerability assessment pursuant to paragraph (1) shall review, revise as necessary, and resubmit such assessment not less often than every 5 years.

(5)

Guidance

Not later than one year after the date of enactment of the Secure and Resilient Water Systems Act, the Administrator shall provide guidance to community water systems for the preparation of vulnerability assessments under this subsection.

(b)

Source water and distribution system protection plans

(1)

In general

Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the Secure and Resilient Water Systems Act, each community water system shall submit to the Administrator source water and distribution system protection plans.

(2)

Mitigation of identified threats

Plans submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall identify strategies and resources to mitigate the threats identified in assessments prepared pursuant to subsection (a).

(3)

Emergency response planning

Plans submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include specific emergency response plans for the threats identified in assessments prepared pursuant to subsection (a).

(4)

Periodic review and resubmission

Each community water system submitting a plan pursuant to paragraph (1) shall review, revise as necessary, and resubmit such plan not less often than every 5 years.

(5)

Guidance

Not later than one year after the date of enactment of the Secure and Resilient Water Systems Act, the Administrator shall provide guidance to community water systems for the preparation of plans under this subsection.

(c)

Technical assistance and grants

(1)

In general

The Administrator shall establish and implement a program, to be known as the Drinking Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program, under which the Administrator may award grants in each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022 to owners or operators of community water systems for the purpose of increasing the resiliency or adaptability of the community water systems to threats identified pursuant to subsection (a).

(2)

Use of funds

As a condition on receipt of a grant under this section, an owner or operator of a community water system shall agree to use the grant funds exclusively to assist in the planning, design, construction, implementation, operation, or maintenance of a program or project consistent with a plan developed pursuant to subsection (b).

(3)

Priority

(A)

Water systems at greatest and most immediate risk

In selecting grantees under this subsection, the Administrator shall give priority to applicants that are owners or operators of community water systems that are, based on the best available research and data, at the greatest and most immediate risk of facing significant negative impacts due to threats described in subsection (a)(2).

(B)

Goals

In selecting among applicants described in subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall ensure that, to the maximum extent practicable, the final list of applications funded for each year includes a substantial number that propose to use innovative approaches to meet one or more of the following goals:

(i)

Promoting more efficient water use, water conservation, water reuse, or water recycling.

(ii)

Using decentralized, low-impact development technologies and nonstructural approaches, including practices that use, enhance, or mimic the natural hydrological cycle or protect natural flows.

(iii)

Reducing stormwater runoff or flooding by protecting or enhancing natural ecosystem functions.

(iv)

Modifying, upgrading, enhancing, or replacing existing community water system infrastructure in response to changing hydrologic conditions.

(v)

Improving water quality or quantity for agricultural and municipal uses, including through salinity reduction.

(vi)

Providing multiple benefits, including to water supply enhancement or demand reduction, water quality protection or improvement, increased flood protection, and ecosystem protection or improvement.

(4)

Cost-sharing

(A)

Federal share

The share of the cost of any activity that is the subject of a grant awarded by the Administrator to the owner or operator of a community water system under this subsection shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the activity.

(B)

Calculation of non-Federal share

In calculating the non-Federal share of the cost of an activity proposed by a community water system in an application submitted under this subsection, the Administrator shall—

(i)

include the value of any in-kind services that are integral to the completion of the activity, including reasonable administrative and overhead costs; and

(ii)

not include any other amount that the community water system involved receives from the Federal Government.

(5)

Report to Congress

Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of the Secure and Resilient Water Systems Act, and every 3 years thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Congress a report on progress in implementing this subsection, including information on project applications received and funded annually.

(6)

Authorization of appropriations

To carry out this subsection, there are authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.

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