Drinking Water Protection Act

To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide for the assessment and management of the risk of algal toxins in drinking water, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Drinking Water Protection Act 2. Algal toxin risk assessment and management (a) In general Part E of the Safe Drinking Water Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300j et seq. 1459. Algal toxin risk assessment and management (a) Definition of feasible In this section, the term feasible (b) Strategic plan (1) Development Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan for assessing and managing risks associated with algal toxins in drinking water provided by public water systems. (2) Inclusions The strategic plan shall include steps and timelines— (A) to evaluate the risk to human health from drinking water provided by public water systems contaminated with algal toxins; (B) to establish, publish, and update a comprehensive list of algal toxins that the Administrator determines may have an adverse effect on human health when present in drinking water provided by public water systems, taking into account likely exposure levels; (C) to summarize— (i) the known adverse human health effects of algal toxins included on the list published under subparagraph (B) when present in drinking water provided by public water systems; and (ii) factors that cause toxin-producing cyanobacteria and algae to proliferate and express toxins; (D) with respect to algal toxins included on the list published under subparagraph (B), to determine whether— (i) to publish health advisories pursuant to section 1412(b)(1)(F) for such algal toxins in drinking water provided by public water systems; (ii) to establish guidance regarding feasible analytical methods to quantify the presence of algal toxins; and (iii) to establish guidance regarding the frequency of monitoring necessary to determine if such algal toxins are present in drinking water provided by public water systems; (E) to recommend feasible treatment options, including procedures, equipment, and source water protection practices, to mitigate any adverse public health effects of algal toxins included on the list published under subparagraph (B); and (F) to enter into cooperative agreements with, and provide technical assistance to, affected States and public water systems, as identified by the Administrator, for the purpose of managing risks associated with algal toxins included on the list published under subparagraph (B). (3) Updates The Administrator shall, as appropriate, update and submit to Congress the strategic plan developed under paragraph (1). (c) Information coordination In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall— (1) identify gaps in the Agency’s understanding of algal toxins, including— (A) the human health effects of algal toxins included on the list published under subsection (b)(2)(B); and (B) methods and means of testing and monitoring for the presence of harmful algal toxins in source water of, or drinking water provided by, public water systems; (2) as appropriate, consult with— (A) other Federal agencies that— (i) examine or analyze cyanobacteria or algal toxins; or (ii) address public health concerns related to harmful algal blooms; (B) States; (C) operators of public water systems; (D) multinational agencies; (E) foreign governments; (F) research and academic institutions; and (G) companies that provide relevant drinking water treatment options; and (3) assemble and publish information from each Federal agency that has— (A) examined or analyzed cyanobacteria or algal toxins; or (B) addressed public health concerns related to harmful algal blooms. (d) Use of science The Administrator shall carry out this section in accordance with the requirements described in section 1412(b)(3)(A), as applicable. . (b) Report to Congress Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall prepare and submit to Congress a report that includes— (1) an inventory of funds— (A) expended by the United States, for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014, to examine or analyze toxin-producing cyanobacteria and algae or address public health concerns related to harmful algal blooms; and (B) that includes the specific purpose for which the funds were made available, the law under which the funds were authorized, and the Federal agency that received or spent the funds; and (2) recommended steps to reduce any duplication, and improve interagency coordination, of such expenditures.

Summary: Drinking Water Protection Act This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan for assessing and managing risks associated with algal toxins in drinking water provided by public water systems. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, have the ability to produce cyanotoxins, or algal toxins. When certain conditions are favorable, algae can rapidly multiply causing blooms, or dense surface scums, that may be toxic. The plan must include steps and time lines to: evaluate the risk to human health from drinking water contaminated with algal toxins; establish, publish, and update a comprehensive list of algal toxins that may have an adverse effect on human health; summarize the known adverse human health effects of algal toxins and the factors that cause toxin-producing cyanobacteria and algae to grow rapidly and make toxins; determine whether to publish health advisories for algal toxins and establish relevant guidance; recommend feasible treatment options; and enter into cooperative agreements with, and provide technical assistance to, affected states and public water systems to manage risks associated with algal toxins.