Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2021

To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide assistance for States, territories, areas affected by natural disasters, and water systems and schools affected by PFAS or lead, and to require the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate national primary drinking water regulations for PFAS, microcystin toxin, and 1,4-dioxane, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2021 (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Title I—Infrastructure Sec. 101. Drinking water system resilience funding. Sec. 102. Grants for State programs. Sec. 103. American iron and steel products. Sec. 104. Assistance for disadvantaged communities. Sec. 105. Allotments for territories. Sec. 106. Drinking water SRF funding. Sec. 107. Lead service line replacement. Sec. 108. Drinking water assistance to colonias. Sec. 109. PFAS treatment grants. Sec. 110. Voluntary school and child care program lead testing grant program. Sec. 111. Grant program for installation of filtration stations at schools and child care programs. Sec. 112. Drinking water fountain replacement for schools. Sec. 113. Indian reservation drinking water program. Sec. 114. Assistance for areas affected by natural disasters. Title II—Safety Sec. 201. Enabling EPA to set standards for new drinking water contaminants. Sec. 202. National primary drinking water regulations for PFAS. Sec. 203. National primary drinking water regulations for microcystin toxin. Sec. 204. National primary drinking water regulations for 1,4–dioxane. Sec. 205. Elimination of small system variances. Title III—Affordability Sec. 301. Emergency relief program. Title IV—Other matters Sec. 401. Small urban and rural water system consolidation report. I Infrastructure 101. Drinking water system resilience funding Section 1433(g) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300i–2(g) (1) in paragraph (1), by striking and 2021 through 2031 (2) in paragraph (6)— (A) by striking 25,000,000 50,000,000 (B) by striking 2020 and 2021 2022 through 2031 102. Grants for State programs Section 1443(a)(7) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j–2(a)(7) and 2021 through 2031 103. American iron and steel products Section 1452(a)(4)(A) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j–12(a)(4)(A) During fiscal years 2019 through 2023, funds Funds 104. Assistance for disadvantaged communities Section 1452(d)(2)(A) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j–12(d)(2)(A) 35 percent 40 percent 105. Allotments for territories Section 1452(j) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j–12(j) 0.33 percent 1.5 percent 106. Drinking water SRF funding Section 1452(m)(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j–12(m)(1) (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking and (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking 2021. 2021; (3) by adding at the end the following: (D) $4,140,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; (E) $4,800,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; and (F) $5,500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2031. . 107. Lead service line replacement (a) In general Section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j–12 (u) Lead service line replacement (1) In general In addition to the capitalization grants to eligible States under subsection (a)(1), the Administrator shall offer to enter into agreements with States, Indian Tribes, and the territories described in subsection (j) to make grants, including letters of credit, to such States, Indian Tribes, and territories under this subsection to fund the replacement of lead service lines. (2) Allotments (A) States Funds made available to carry out this subsection shall be— (i) allotted and reallotted to the extent practicable to States as if allotted or reallotted under subsection (a)(1) as a capitalization grant under such subsection; and (ii) deposited into the State loan fund of a State receiving such funds pursuant to an agreement entered into pursuant to this subsection. (B) Indian Tribes The Administrator shall set aside 1 1/2 (C) Other areas Funds made available to carry out this subsection shall be allotted to territories described in subsection (j) in accordance with such subsection. (3) Grants Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, funds made available under this subsection shall be used only for providing grants for the replacement of lead service lines. (4) Priority Each State, Indian Tribe, and territory that has entered into an agreement pursuant to this subsection shall annually prepare a plan that identifies the intended uses of the amounts made available to such State, Indian Tribe, or territory under this subsection, and any such plan shall— (A) not be required to comply with subsection (b)(3); and (B) provide, to the maximum extent practicable, that priority for the use of funds be given to projects that replace lead service lines serving disadvantaged communities and environmental justice communities. (5) Plan for replacement Each State, Indian Tribe, and territory that has entered into an agreement pursuant to this subsection shall require each recipient of funds made available pursuant to this subsection to submit to the State, Indian Tribe, or territory a plan to replace all lead service lines in the applicable public water system within 10 years of receiving such funds. (6) American made iron and steel and prevailing wages The requirements of paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (a) shall apply to any project carried out in whole or in part with funds made available under or pursuant to this subsection. (7) Limitation (A) Prohibition on partial line replacement No funds made available pursuant to this subsection may be used for partial lead service line replacement if, at the conclusion of the service line replacement, drinking water is delivered through a publicly or privately owned portion of a lead service line. (B) No private owner contribution Any recipient of funds made available pursuant to this subsection for lead service line replacement shall offer to replace any privately owned portion of any lead service line with respect to which such funds are used at no cost to the private owner. (8) Disadvantaged community assistance All funds made available pursuant to this subsection to fund the replacement of lead service lines may be used to replace lead service lines serving disadvantaged communities. (9) State contribution not required No agreement entered into pursuant to paragraph (1) shall require that a State deposit, at any time, in the applicable State loan fund from State moneys any contribution in order to receive funds under this subsection. (10) Authorization of appropriations (A) In general There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $4,500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2031. Such sums shall remain available until expended. (B) Additional amounts To the extent amounts authorized to be appropriated under this subsection in any fiscal year are not appropriated in that fiscal year, such amounts are authorized to be appropriated in a subsequent fiscal year. Such sums shall remain available until expended. (11) Definitions For purposes of this subsection: (A) Disadvantaged community The term disadvantaged community (B) Environmental justice community The term environmental justice community (C) Lead service line The term lead service line . (b) Conforming amendment Section 1452(m)(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j–12(m)(1) (a)(2)(G) and (t) (a)(2)(G), (t), and (u) 108. Drinking water assistance to colonias Section 1456 of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j–16 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph: (2) Covered entity The term covered entity (A) A border State. (B) A local government with jurisdiction over an eligible community. ; (2) in subsection (b), by striking border State covered entity (3) in subsection (d), by striking shall not exceed 50 percent may not be less than 80 percent (4) in subsection (e)— (A) by striking $25,000,000 $100,000,000 (B) by striking 1997 through 1999 2022 through 2026 109. PFAS treatment grants Part E of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j et seq. 1459E. Assistance for community water systems affected by PFAS (a) Establishment Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish a program to award grants to affected community water systems to pay for capital costs associated with the implementation of eligible treatment technologies. (b) Applications (1) Guidance Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall publish guidance describing the form and timing for community water systems to apply for grants under this section. (2) Required information The Administrator shall require a community water system applying for a grant under this section to submit— (A) information showing the presence of a perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance in water of the community water system; and (B) a certification that the treatment technology in use by the community water system at the time of application is not sufficient to meet all applicable standards, and all applicable health advisories published pursuant to section 1412(b)(1)(F), for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. (c) List of eligible treatment technologies Not later than 150 days after the date of enactment of this section, and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall publish a list of treatment technologies that the Administrator determines are the most effective at removing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances from drinking water. (d) Priority for funding In awarding grants under this section, the Administrator shall prioritize an affected community water system that— (1) serves a disadvantaged community; (2) will provide at least a 10-percent cost share for the cost of implementing an eligible treatment technology; (3) demonstrates the capacity to maintain the eligible treatment technology to be implemented using the grant; or (4) is located within an area with respect to which the Administrator has published a determination under the first sentence of section 1424(e) relating to an aquifer that is the sole or principal drinking water source for the area. (e) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $500,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2022 through 2031. (2) Special rule Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated by paragraph (1), $25,000,000 are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023 for grants under subsection (a) to pay for capital costs associated with the implementation of eligible treatment technologies during the period beginning on October 1, 2014, and ending on the date of enactment of this section. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) Affected community water system The term affected community water system (2) Disadvantaged community The term disadvantaged community (3) Eligible treatment technology The term eligible treatment technology . 110. Voluntary school and child care program lead testing grant program Section 1464(d)(8) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j–24(d)(8) and 2021 through 2031 111. Grant program for installation of filtration stations at schools and child care programs Section 1464 of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j–24 (e) Grant program for installation and maintenance of filtration stations (1) Program The Administrator shall establish a program to make grants to States to assist local educational agencies in voluntary installation and maintenance of filtration stations at schools and child care programs under the jurisdiction of the local educational agencies. (2) Direct grants to local educational agencies The Administrator may make a grant described in paragraph (1) directly available to— (A) any local educational agency described in clause (i) or (iii) of subsection (d)(1)(B) located in a State that does not participate in the program established under paragraph (1); or (B) any local educational agency described in clause (ii) of subsection (d)(1)(B). (3) Use of funds Grants made under the program established under this subsection may be used to pay the costs of— (A) installation and maintenance of filtration stations at schools and child care programs; and (B) annual testing of drinking water at such schools and child care programs following the installation of filtration stations. (4) Priority In making grants under the program established under this subsection, the Administrator shall give priority to States and local educational agencies that will assist in voluntary installation and maintenance of filtration stations at schools and child care programs that are in low-income areas. (5) Guidance Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator shall establish guidance to carry out the program established under this subsection. (6) No prior testing required The program established under this subsection shall not require testing for lead contamination in drinking water at schools and child care programs prior to participation in such program. (7) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Child care program and local educational agency The terms child care program local educational agency (B) Filtration station The term filtration station (i) is connected to building plumbing; (ii) is certified to the latest version of NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction and NSF/ANSI 42 for particulate reduction (Class I) by a certification body accredited by the American National Standards Institute National Accreditation Board; (iii) has an indicator to show filter performance; (iv) can fill bottles or containers for water consumption; and (v) allows users to drink directly from a stream of flowing water. (8) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2031. . 112. Drinking water fountain replacement for schools Section 1465(d) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j–25(d) 2021 2031 113. Indian reservation drinking water program Section 2001(d) of America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 ( Public Law 115–270 2022 2031 114. Assistance for areas affected by natural disasters Section 2020 of America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 ( Public Law 115–270 (1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking subsection (e)(1) subsection (f)(1) (2) by redesignating subsections (c) through (e) as subsections (d) through (f), respectively; (3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following: (c) Assistance for territories The Administrator may use funds made available under subsection (f)(1) to make grants to Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands for the purposes of providing assistance to eligible systems to restore or increase compliance with national primary drinking water regulations. ; and (4) in subsection (f), as so redesignated— (A) in the heading, by striking State revolving fund capitalization (B) in paragraph (1)— (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting and to make grants under subsection (c) of this section, to be available (ii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting or subsection (c), as applicable subsection (b)(1) II Safety 201. Enabling EPA to set standards for new drinking water contaminants (a) In general Section 1412(b)(6) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300g–1(b)(6) (b) Conforming amendments Section 1412(b) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300g–1(b) (1) in paragraph (3)(C)(i)— (A) by striking paragraph (5) or (6)(A) paragraph (5) (B) by striking paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) paragraphs (4) and (5) (2) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking paragraphs (5) and (6) paragraph (5) 202. National primary drinking water regulations for PFAS Section 1412(b) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300g–1(b) (16) Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (A) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Administrator shall, after notice and opportunity for public comment, promulgate a national primary drinking water regulation for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which shall, at a minimum, include standards for— (i) perfluorooctanoic acid (commonly referred to as PFOA (ii) perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (commonly referred to as PFOS (B) Alternative procedures (i) In general Not later than 1 year after the validation by the Administrator of an equally effective quality control and testing procedure to ensure compliance with the national primary drinking water regulation promulgated under subparagraph (A) to measure the levels described in clause (ii) or other methods to detect and monitor perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water, the Administrator shall add the procedure or method as an alternative to the quality control and testing procedure described in such national primary drinking water regulation by publishing the procedure or method in the Federal Register in accordance with section 1401(1)(D). (ii) Levels described The levels referred to in clause (i) are— (I) the level of a perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance; (II) the total levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; and (III) the total levels of organic fluorine. (C) Inclusions The Administrator may include a perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance or class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances on— (i) the list of contaminants for consideration of regulation under paragraph (1)(B)(i), in accordance with such paragraph; and (ii) the list of unregulated contaminants to be monitored under section 1445(a)(2)(B)(i), in accordance with such section. (D) Monitoring When establishing monitoring requirements for public water systems as part of a national primary drinking water regulation under subparagraph (A) or subparagraph (G)(ii), the Administrator shall tailor the monitoring requirements for public water systems that do not detect or are reliably and consistently below the maximum contaminant level (as defined in section 1418(b)(2)(B)) for the perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance or class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances subject to the national primary drinking water regulation. (E) Health protection The national primary drinking water regulation promulgated under subparagraph (A) shall be protective of the health of subpopulations at greater risk, as described in section 1458. (F) Health risk reduction and cost analysis In meeting the requirements of paragraph (3)(C), the Administrator may rely on information available to the Administrator with respect to one or more specific perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances to extrapolate reasoned conclusions regarding the health risks and effects of a class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances of which the specific perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances are a part. (G) Regulation of additional substances (i) Determination The Administrator shall make a determination under paragraph (1)(A), using the criteria described in clauses (i) through (iii) of that paragraph, whether to include a perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance or class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances in the national primary drinking water regulation under subparagraph (A) not later than 18 months after the later of— (I) the date on which the perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance or class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances is listed on the list of contaminants for consideration of regulation under paragraph (1)(B)(i); and (II) the date on which— (aa) the Administrator has received the results of monitoring under section 1445(a)(2)(B) for the perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance or class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances; or (bb) the Administrator has received reliable water data or water monitoring surveys for the perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance or class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances from a Federal or State agency that the Administrator determines to be of a quality sufficient to make a determination under paragraph (1)(A). (ii) Primary drinking water regulations (I) In general For each perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance or class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances that the Administrator determines to regulate under clause (i), the Administrator— (aa) not later than 18 months after the date on which the Administrator makes the determination, shall propose a national primary drinking water regulation for the perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance or class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances; and (bb) may publish the proposed national primary drinking water regulation described in item (aa) concurrently with the publication of the determination to regulate the perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance or class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances. (II) Deadline (aa) In general Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Administrator publishes a proposed national primary drinking water regulation under clause (i)(I) and subject to item (bb), the Administrator shall take final action on the proposed national primary drinking water regulation. (bb) Extension The Administrator, on publication of notice in the Federal Register, may extend the deadline under item (aa) by not more than 6 months. (H) Health advisory (i) In general Subject to clause (ii), the Administrator shall publish a health advisory under paragraph (1)(F) for a perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance or class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances not subject to a national primary drinking water regulation not later than 1 year after the later of— (I) the date on which the Administrator finalizes a toxicity value for the perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance or class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances; and (II) the date on which the Administrator validates an effective quality control and testing procedure for the perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance or class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances. (ii) Waiver The Administrator may waive the requirements of clause (i) with respect to a perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance or class of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances if the Administrator determines that there is a substantial likelihood that the perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance or class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances will not occur in drinking water with sufficient frequency to justify the publication of a health advisory, and publishes such determination, including the information and analysis used, and basis for, such determination, in the Federal Register. . 203. National primary drinking water regulations for microcystin toxin Section 1412(b) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300g–1(b) (17) Microcystin toxin (A) In general Notwithstanding any other deadline established in this subsection, not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2021 (B) Health protection The maximum contaminant level goal and national primary drinking water regulation promulgated under subparagraph (A) shall be protective of the health of subpopulations at greater risk, as described in section 1458. . 204. National primary drinking water regulations for 1,4–dioxane Section 1412(b) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300g–1(b) (18) 1,4–dioxane (A) In general Notwithstanding any other deadline established in this subsection, not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2021 (B) Health protection The maximum contaminant level goal and national primary drinking water regulation promulgated under subparagraph (A) shall be protective of the health of subpopulations at greater risk, as described in section 1458. . 205. Elimination of small system variances (a) Small system variances Section 1415 ( 42 U.S.C. 300g–4 (b) Conforming amendments (1) Section 1412(b)(15) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300g–1(b)(15) (2) Section 1414(c)(1)(B) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300g–3(c)(1)(B) , (a)(2), or (e) or (a)(2) (3) Section 1416(b)(2) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300g–5(b)(2) (4) Section 1445(h) of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j–4(h) (A) by striking sections 1412(b)(4)(E) and 1415(e) (relating to small system variance program) section 1412(b)(4)(E) (B) by striking guidance under sections 1412(b)(4)(E) and 1415(e) guidance under section 1412(b)(4)(E) III Affordability 301. Emergency relief program Part F of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j–21 et seq. 1466. Emergency relief program (a) Emergency relief program The Administrator shall establish and carry out a residential emergency relief program to provide payments to public water systems to reimburse such public water systems for providing forgiveness of arrearages and fees incurred by eligible residential customers before the date of enactment of this section to help such eligible residential customers retain, or reconnect or restore, water service. (b) Conditions To receive funds under this section, a public water system shall agree to— (1) except as otherwise provided in this section, use such funds to forgive all arrearages and fees relating to nonpayment or arrearages incurred by eligible residential customers before the date of enactment of this section; (2) if forgiveness of all arrearages and fees described in paragraph (1) is not possible given the amount of funds received, except as otherwise provided in this section, use such funds to reduce such arrearages and fees for each eligible residential customer by, to the extent practicable, a consistent percentage; (3) take no action that negatively affects the credit score of an eligible residential customer, or pursue any type of collection action against such eligible residential customer, during the 5-year period that begins on the date on which the public water system receives such funds; (4) not disconnect or interrupt the service of any eligible residential customer as a result of nonpayment or arrearages during such 5-year period; and (5) provide to the Administrator such information as the Administrator determines appropriate. (c) Eligible customers To be eligible for forgiveness or reduction of arrearages and fees pursuant to the program established under subsection (a), a residential customer of a public water system shall have accrued new arrearages on or after March 1, 2020. (d) Reconnection expenses The Administrator, or a State that is, pursuant to subsection (e), implementing the program established under subsection (a), may authorize a public water system receiving funds under this section to use up to 5 percent of such funds for expenses relating to reconnecting or restoring water service, including expenses relating to plumbing repairs and pipe flushing, as needed, for eligible residential customers. (e) Administrative expenses The Administrator may authorize— (1) States to implement the program established under subsection (a); and (2) a State implementing such program to use up to 4 percent of funds made available to carry out such program in such State for administrative expenses. (f) Submissions to Congress Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, and every other month thereafter until all amounts made available under this section are expended, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report that describes— (1) each public water system that received a payment under or pursuant to this section; (2) the total amount of each payment provided under or pursuant to this section; (3) for each public water system receiving a payment under or pursuant to this section— (A) the amount of arrearages and fees forgiven or reduced; (B) the number of eligible residential customers benefitting from forgiveness or reduction of arrearages and fees under this section; (C) the amount of arrearages and fees of customers described in subparagraph (B) incurred before the date of enactment of this section that remain outstanding; (D) the number of eligible residential customers that did not benefit from forgiveness or reduction of arrearages and fees under this section; and (E) the amount of arrearages and fees of customers described in subparagraph (D) incurred before the date of enactment of this section that remain outstanding; and (4) a summary of any other information provided to the Administrator by public water systems that receive a payment pursuant to this section. (g) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $4,000,000,000, to remain available until expended. . IV Other matters 401. Small urban and rural water system consolidation report (a) Report (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on issues relating to the potential for consolidation of distressed small water systems. (2) Inclusions The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) information on— (i) the amount of debt of covered small water systems; (ii) whether the budgets of covered small water systems are balanced; (iii) the degree to which covered small water systems defer infrastructure improvements; (iv) the degree to which covered small water systems are not in compliance with applicable Federal and State water quality standards; (v) how rates charged by covered small water systems for service relate to the costs for maintenance of, and improvements to, such systems; and (vi) how the management, financial, and technical capacity of covered small water systems affects the ability of such systems to provide service at affordable rates; (B) an evaluation of— (i) whether covered small water system infrastructure is failing, resulting in a temporary or permanent loss of essential functions or services; and (ii) how to prevent covered small water systems from becoming distressed small water systems; (C) policy recommendations for how Congress may support the consolidation of distressed small water systems; and (D) best practices and guidelines the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may use to assist State and local governments with facilitating the consolidation of distressed small water systems. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Consolidation The term consolidation 42 U.S.C. 300g–3(h)(1) (2) Covered small water system The term covered small water system (A) fewer than 50,000 individuals; and (B) a disadvantaged community or an environmental justice community. (3) Disadvantaged community The term disadvantaged community 42 U.S.C. 300j–12(d)(3) (4) Distressed small water system The term distressed small water system (A) that is unable to carry out necessary maintenance of, and improvements to, such system in order to— (i) comply with applicable Federal and State water quality standards; or (ii) provide reliable and affordable service to customers while complying with such water quality standards; and (B) with respect to which consolidation may be necessary to address the issues described in subparagraph (A). (5) Environmental justice community The term environmental justice community (6) Public water system The term public water system 42 U.S.C. 300f June 29, 2021 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Summary: Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2021 This bill provides support for drinking water infrastructure and requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address the safety and affordability of drinking water. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes and establishes several programs for drinking water infrastructure. For example, it reauthorizes through FY2031 the drinking water state revolving fund. In addition, the bill revises requirements concerning the safety of drinking water, including by requiring the EPA to promulgate national primary drinking water regulations for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (commonly known as PFAS), microcystin toxin, and 1,4&#8211;dioxane. PFAS&nbsp;are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. Microcystin is a toxin that is produced by certain algae. The solvent known as 1,4&#8211;dioxane may also have adverse human health effects. It is used in variety of products, such as adhesives, sealants, and printing inks. The EPA must also implement a residential emergency relief program that assists customers of public water systems with paying drinking water bill. Under the program, the EPA must provide payments to public water systems to reimburse them for forgiving their customers' debts or fees for services provided since March 1, 2020, in order to help the customers retain, reconnect, or restore water services. Public water systems that receive payments may not disconnect or interrupt their customer's service because of such debt or fees. Finally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to report on issues relating to the potential for consolidation of certain distressed and small public water systems.