SEC. 1117. ENERGY-WATER NEXUS DATA FOR POWER 
PLANTS. 
(a) METHODOLOGY.—The Secretary of Energy shall 
conduct research on, and develop, a methodology for esti-
mating water consumption for open-loop cooling systems 
for thermoelectric power plants. 
(b) EIA.—The Secretary of Energy, acting through 
the Administrator of the Energy Information Administra-
tion, shall develop a data portal for better access by the 
public to data on water use by thermoelectric power 
plants. 
(c) USGS.—The Director of the United States Geo-
logical Survey shall— 
(1) collect data on the withdrawal and con-
sumptive use of water by laboratory and pilot scale 
thermoelectric power plants; 
(2) as part of such collection, collect data on 
use of sources other than surface water, for water 
withdrawn by power plants; 
(3) develop and publish a standard method for 
determining consumptive losses through enhanced 
evaporation resulting from water discharges from 
power plant cooling systems; and 
(4) distribute to other relevant Federal and 
State agencies data collected under paragraph (2). 
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(d) COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION.—The Di-
rector of the United States Geological Survey, the Admin-
istrator of the Energy Information Administration, and 
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agen-
cy shall— 
(1) collaborate in collecting, analyzing, and re-
porting all material information on water usage by 
thermoelectric power plants; and 
(2) make such information available in the en-
ergy-water nexus database established pursuant to 
section 1112. 
SEC. 1118. RECLAMATION WATER CONSERVATION AND EN-
ERGY SAVINGS. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, acting 
through the Commissioner of Reclamation, shall— 
(1) determine the annual energy consumption, 
including purchased energy, by pumping stations op-
erated by the Bureau of Reclamation for each of the 
previous 10 years; 
(2) estimate the annual energy consumption, in-
cluding purchased energy, by pumping stations oper-
ated by the Bureau of Reclamation for each of the 
next 10 years; 
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(3) generate a list of the 10 pumping stations 
operated by the Bureau of Reclamation that con-
sumed the most energy, including purchased energy, 
in the previous 10 years; and 
(4) pursue opportunities for energy efficiency 
and low-carbon energy technologies at the pumping 
stations described in paragraph (3). 
SEC. 1119. RURAL WATER UTILITIES ENERGY AND WATER 
EFFICIENCY PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 103(a) of the Reclamation 
Rural Water Supply Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 2402(a)) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) carry out a program similar to and con-
sistent with the national rural water and wastewater 
circuit rider program established under section 
306(a)(22) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural De-
velopment Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(22)) (including the 
authority to make grants) in consultation with— 
‘‘(A) the Environmental Protection Agency 
to provide on-site technical assistance to rural 
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drinking water and wastewater utilities, includ-
ing utilities serving an Indian tribe (as defined 
in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination 
and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
450b)); 
‘‘(B) the Secretary of Energy to improve 
energy efficiency, identify and develop low-car-
bon energy supplies, and conserve water and 
end uses of water in the operation of rural 
drinking water and wastewater utilities; and 
‘‘(C) the National Centers for Innovation 
in Small Drinking Water Systems to strengthen 
the technical, managerial, and financial capac-
ities of small drinking water providers through-
out the country.’’. 
Subtitle B—Improved Data, 
Technology, and Education 
SEC. 1221. DOI GROUNDWATER INFORMATION SYSTEM. 
(a) DATA COLLECTION
AND INFORMATION SYS-
TEM.— 
(1) DATA COLLECTION.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of the Interior shall— 
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(A) conduct a study on the potential im-
pacts of Federal projects operated by the Bu-
reau of Reclamation on groundwater resources; 
(B) submit to Congress a report on the 
findings of the study required by subparagraph 
(A); 
(C) determine, to the extent possible, the 
current groundwater levels and the groundwater 
levels of Federal projects operated by the Bu-
reau of Reclamation over the previous 10 years; 
and 
(D) share the data described in subpara-
graph (C) with the United States Geological 
Survey. 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION
OF
GROUNDWATER
IN-
FORMATION SYSTEM.—As soon as practicable after 
receipt by the United States Geological Survey of 
the data described in paragraph (1)(C), the United 
States Geological Survey shall implement a ground-
water information system for the purpose of advanc-
ing the availability, timely distribution, and wide-
spread use of groundwater data for groundwater 
management, education, research, assessment, and 
monitoring purposes. 
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(3) AVAILABILITY OF DATA.—The Secretary of 
the Interior shall make the data described in para-
graph (1)(C) available as an input to the Depart-
ment of Energy’s National Energy-Water Nexus 
Data System established pursuant to section 1112. 
(4) COLLABORATION.—In carrying out this sec-
tion, the Secretary of the Interior shall collaborate 
with States that have or are developing groundwater 
management programs. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized 
to 
be 
appropriated 
to 
the 
Secretary 
$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022. 
SEC. 1222. EIA WATER CONSUMPTION DATA COLLECTION 
IN THE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL SEC-
TORS. 
(a) EXPANDING SURVEY DATA TO INCLUDE WATER 
USE.—The Secretary of Energy, acting through the Ad-
ministrator of the Energy Information Administration, 
shall— 
(1)(A) if feasible, collect, through each Com-
mercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey of 
the Energy Information Administration that is con-
ducted after the date of enactment of this section, 
data on water consumption and usage, including 
total water consumption for commercial buildings 
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(and verify such consumption by users) and water 
consumption and usage by principal building activ-
ity, census division, and end use; or 
(B) if not feasible, conduct activities to develop 
the capability to produce and collect such data; 
(2)(A) if feasible, collect, through each Residen-
tial Energy Consumption Survey of the Energy In-
formation Administration that is conducted after the 
date of enactment of this section, data on water con-
sumption and usage, including total water consump-
tion for residential buildings and water consumption 
and usage by housing type, census division, and end 
use; or 
(B) if not feasible, conduct activities to develop 
the capability to produce and collect such data; and 
(3) make the data collected under paragraphs 
(1) and (2) available in the energy-water nexus data-
base established pursuant to section 1112. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2027. 
SEC. 1223. USGS WATER CONSUMPTION ANALYSIS SURVEY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the United States 
Geological Survey shall— 
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(1) include estimates of the consumptive use of 
surface water, groundwater, and recycled water in 
its published survey on water uses in the United 
States; and 
(2) make this data available as an input to the 
Department of Energy’s National Energy-Water 
Nexus Data System. 
(b) STATE PARTNERSHIPS.—The Director shall enter 
into cooperative agreements with States to carry out this 
section. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—To carry 
out this section there is authorized to be appropriated 
$10,000,000 for each fiscal year in the 5-fiscal-year period 
beginning with fiscal year 2018. 
SEC. 1224. INNOVATIONS AT THE NEXUS OF FOOD, ENERGY, 
AND WATER SYSTEMS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science 
Foundation for the National Science Foundation-wide in-
vestment in Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy, 
and Water Systems $62,180,000 for each of the fiscal 
years 2018 through 2021. 
(b) SMALL BUSINESS CONSULTATION.—The Innova-
tions at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water Systems 
program may inform and consult with the National 
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Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research 
program and Small Business Technology Transfer pro-
gram to determine criteria for innovative projects that 
consider the nexus between food, energy, and water sys-
tems. 
SEC. 1225. USDA AND DOI COORDINATED WATER CON-
SERVATION EFFORTS. 
(a) COORDINATION.—The Secretary of Agriculture 
shall coordinate with the Secretary of the Interior to im-
prove the efficiency of agricultural water use in a manner 
that is also protective of wildlife, including through coordi-
nation of grant programs, best known methods for water 
management, drought resilience guidelines, education, 
technical assistance, irrigation technology development, 
water application system maintenance, research into prac-
tices that improve soil health and safe and appropriate 
uses for recycled water on crops, evaluations of water de-
livery systems, and recommendations for improvements 
needed to meet the needs of efficient water application sys-
tems. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall 
submit to Congress a report regarding the implementation 
of this section. 
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SEC. 1226. AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY CENTERS. 
Chapter 3 of subtitle B of title XVI of the Food, Ag-
riculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
5831 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘SEC. 1630. AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY CENTERS. 
‘‘(a) GRANTS
FOR AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY 
CENTERS.—The Secretary, acting through the Director of 
the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, shall carry 
out a program to provide grants to State agencies, univer-
sities, nonprofit organizations, and other entities to estab-
lish or improve agricultural technology centers that pro-
vide— 
‘‘(1) entrepreneurial support programs; 
‘‘(2) resources on the development and improve-
ment of new and existing technologies, including— 
‘‘(A) efficient irrigation technologies, in-
cluding drip and microsprinkler systems; 
‘‘(B) soil moisture monitors and direct 
plant measurements to determine plant irriga-
tion needs and management practices that im-
prove soil health; 
‘‘(C) 
irrigation 
scheduling, 
including 
weather-based irrigation scheduling; 
‘‘(D) software designed to increase the effi-
ciency of water management, including inte-
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grating irrigation with energy use and the ap-
plication of fertilizer and other chemicals; 
‘‘(E) remote monitoring and control sys-
tems, including drones for agricultural moni-
toring; 
‘‘(F) water treatment technologies relating 
to— 
‘‘(i) brine and nitrates; and 
‘‘(ii) increasing the safe and appro-
priate use of recycled water for crops; 
‘‘(3) data-sharing and privacy guidelines for ag-
ricultural producers; and 
‘‘(4) conference facilities for agricultural busi-
nesses, universities, and nonprofit organizations. 
‘‘(b) REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS.—The Secretary, 
acting through the Director of the National Institute of 
Food and Agriculture, shall publish an annual funding an-
nouncement that provides information on the availability 
of grants under subsection (a), including the purpose, eli-
gibility, restriction, focus areas, evaluation criteria, regu-
latory information, and instructions on how to apply for 
such grants. 
‘‘(c) DEADLINE FOR PROGRAM.—Not later than 180 
days after the date on which funds are first made available 
to carry out this section, the Secretary shall— 
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‘‘(1) establish the program under subsection 
(a); and 
‘‘(2) publish the initial request for applications 
for grants under the program. 
‘‘(d) CONSULTATION.—An entity that receives a 
grant under subsection (a) may consult with clusters es-
tablished by the Environmental Protection Agency under 
the Environmental Technology Innovation Clusters pro-
gram to develop, improve, and implement water technology 
innovation. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—For 
purposes of carrying out this section, there is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary $15,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.’’. 
SEC. 1227. EFFICIENT IRRIGATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 
GRANT PROGRAM. 
Chapter 5 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Secu-
rity Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb et seq.) is amended 
by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 1240S. EFFICIENT IRRIGATION TECHNICAL ASSIST-
ANCE GRANT PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) GRANTS
FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The 
Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Natural Re-
sources Conservation Service, shall carry out an efficient 
irrigation technical assistance program to provide grants 
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to States, State agencies, local governments, tribal organi-
zations, or water districts for technical assistance pro-
grams that provide— 
‘‘(1) technical assistance workshops and edu-
cation programs on water and energy efficient irri-
gation systems for agricultural producers; 
‘‘(2) technical assistance to producers to de-
velop irrigation water management plans to improve 
irrigation efficiency; 
‘‘(3) ongoing assistance to agricultural pro-
ducers in implementing and maintaining water and 
energy efficient irrigation systems that are protective 
of wildlife, including systems that use water meter 
and soil sensor data, soil management practices that 
improve soil health, pump efficiency standards, sys-
tem audits, routine maintenance, irrigation sched-
uling, and information control automation; and 
‘‘(4) other technical assistance the Secretary 
determines appropriate. 
‘‘(b) REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS.—The Secretary 
shall publish an annual funding announcement that pro-
vides information on the availability of grants under sub-
section (a), including the purpose, eligibility, restriction, 
focus areas, evaluation criteria, regulatory information, 
and instructions on how to apply for such grants. 
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‘‘(c) DEADLINE FOR PROGRAM.—Not later than 180 
days after the date on which funds are first made available 
to carry out this section, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) establish the program under subsection 
(a); and 
‘‘(2) publish the initial request for applications 
for grants under the program. 
‘‘(d) DEFINITION OF WATER DISTRICT.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘water district’ means an entity engaged 
in— 
‘‘(1) the provision of water to the public 
through pipes or other constructed conveyances; or 
‘‘(2) the collection, treatment, management, or 
disposal of stormwater or wastewater generated by 
the public. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—For 
purposes of carrying out this section, there is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary $15,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.’’. 
SEC. 1228. UNITED STATES-ISRAEL WATER COOPERATION 
WORKING GROUP. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that open dialogue and continued mechanisms for 
regular engagement encourages further cooperation be-
tween applicable departments, agencies, ministries, insti-
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tutions of higher education, and the private sectors of the 
United States and Israel on water security issues. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a United 
States-Israel Water Cooperation Working Group (in this 
section referred to as the ‘‘Working Group’’). 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.—The Working Group shall be 
composed of the following officials or their designees: 
(1) The Secretary of State. 
(2) The Secretary of Agriculture. 
(3) The Secretary of Energy. 
(4) The Secretary of the Interior. 
(5) The Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency. 
(d) CHAIRPERSON.—The Secretary of State shall 
serve as chairperson of the Working Group. 
(e) PURPOSES.—The Working Group shall seek to 
strengthen dialogue between the United States and Israel 
in order to— 
(1) improve the use of water resources through 
water-saving technologies and practices; 
(2) counter water shortages; 
(3) modernize pipeline and other applicable in-
frastructure; and 
(4) pursue best practices in drip irrigation, 
water recycling, and desalination. 
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TITLE 
II—INCREASED 
WATER 
SUPPLY AND REGIONAL SELF- 
SUFFICIENCY 
SEC. 2001. WATERSMART REAUTHORIZATION. 
Section 9504(a)(1)(B) of the Omnibus Public Land 
Management Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. 10364(a)(1)(B)) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(B) to increase water use and energy effi-
ciency and work to improve instream flows;’’. 
SEC. 2002. AMENDMENT TO COMPETITIVE GRANT PRO-
GRAM FOR WATER RECYCLING AND REUSE 
PROJECTS. 
Subsection (f)(1) of section 1602 of the Reclamation 
Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act 
(Public Law 102–575; U.S.C. 390h) is amended by insert-
ing ‘‘(including reimbursement for costs incurred prior to 
enactment of this Act)’’ after ‘‘funding’’. 
SEC. 2003. RECYCLING STANDARDS ASSISTANCE. 
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency shall— 
(1) conduct research relevant to developing reg-
ulations regarding direct potable reuse; and 
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(2) provide the results of such research and 
technical assistance to States that are in the process 
of developing direct potable reuse regulations. 
SEC. 2004. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL 
ASSISTANCE. 
(a) STORMWATER CAPTURE.—In issuing a permit 
under section 402(p) of the Federal Water Pollution Con-
trol Act (33 U.S.C. 1342(p)), the Administrator of the 
Environmental Protection Agency (or the State, in the 
case of a permit program approved under section 402(b) 
of such Act) shall evaluate the capacity of stormwater cap-
ture and reuse programs, on-site stormwater retention 
standards, green infrastructure projects, and adoption of 
other innovative practices, to reduce the discharge of pol-
lutants to the maximum extent practicable and to produce 
additional benefits. 
(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Administrator 
shall provide technical assistance to communities to de-
velop integrated plans for the purposes of complying with 
Federal Water Pollution Control Act regulations for mu-
nicipal wastewater and stormwater management. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022. 
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SEC. 2005. GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL AS-
SISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the United States 
Geological Survey shall provide technical assistance in the 
development and implementation of new and existing 
groundwater management plans in the United States. 
(b) PRIORITY FOR DROUGHT-AFFLICTED AREAS.— 
In implementing this section, the Director may give pri-
ority to such plans for areas that are subject to a drought 
declaration by a State. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—To carry 
out this section there is authorized to be appropriated to 
the Director $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 
through 2022. 
SEC. 2006. GROUNDWATER RECHARGE PROGRAM. 
Chapter 5 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Secu-
rity Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb et seq.), as amended 
by section 1228, is further amended by adding at the end 
the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 1240T. GROUNDWATER RECHARGE PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) GRANTS FOR GROUNDWATER RECHARGE IM-
PROVEMENTS.—The Secretary shall carry out a ground-
water recharge program to provide grants to producers for 
groundwater recharge improvements to eligible land, in-
cluding the installation of measurement devices on wells 
and pumps. 
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‘‘(b) PRIORITY.—In making grants under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall give priority to groundwater re-
charge improvements— 
‘‘(1) implemented in conjunction with State 
groundwater recharge programs; and 
‘‘(2) that provide habitat benefits and maintain 
groundwater quality without adversely impacting 
surface waters. 
‘‘(c) REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS.—The Secretary 
shall publish an annual funding announcement that pro-
vides information on the availability of grants under sub-
section (a), including the purpose, eligibility, restriction, 
focus areas, evaluation criteria, regulatory information, 
and instructions on how to apply for such grants. 
‘‘(d) DEADLINE FOR THE PROGRAM.—Not later than 
180 days after the date on which funds are first made 
available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) establish the program under subsection 
(a); and 
‘‘(2) publish the initial request for applications 
for grants under the program. 
‘‘(e) ELIGIBLE LAND DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘eligible land’ has the meaning given the term in sec-
tion 1240A. 
‘‘(f) REPORT.— 
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‘‘(1) REPORT TO SECRETARY.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of the enactment of this sec-
tion, the Administrator of the Agricultural Research 
Service shall— 
‘‘(A) conduct a study on groundwater re-
charge improvements; and 
‘‘(B) submit to the Secretary a report that 
includes recommendations on groundwater re-
charge improvements to be used for the pur-
poses of this section. 
‘‘(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 2 
years after the date of the enactment of this section, 
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that 
includes an assessment of the effectiveness of the 
groundwater recharge improvements funded pursu-
ant to this section. 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—For 
purposes of carrying out this section, there is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary $15,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.’’. 
SEC. 2007. COMMUNITY WATER ENHANCEMENT. 
(a) SELECTION OF PROJECTS.—Section 220(d) of 
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
1300(d)) is amended— 
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(1) by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating 
paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) 
PARTICIPATION
OF
RURAL
COMMU-
NITIES.—In making grants under this section, the 
Administrator shall consider whether the project— 
‘‘(A) is located in an unincorporated rural 
community; 
‘‘(B) is located in an area that— 
‘‘(i) is served by a public water system 
(as defined in section 1401 of the Safe 
Drinking Water Act) with fewer than 
3,000 connections; or 
‘‘(ii) does not have a public water sys-
tem (as so defined); 
‘‘(C) is located in an agricultural area with 
rural residences served by a public water sys-
tem (as so defined) or by private wells; or 
‘‘(D) is not only a benefit to the rural com-
munity served by the project, but also a benefit 
to additional regional partners.’’. 
(b) COMMITTEE RESOLUTION PROCEDURE.—Section 
220 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 1300) is amended by striking 
subsection (e) and redesignating subsections (f) through 
(j) as subsections (e) through (i), respectively. 
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(c) 
DEFINITION
OF
ALTERNATIVE
WATER 
SOURCE.—Section 220(h)(1) of such Act (as so redesig-
nated) is amended— 
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘water or 
wastewater or by treating wastewater’’ and inserting 
‘‘water, wastewater, or stormwater, by treating 
wastewater or stormwater, or through conjunctively 
managing groundwater supplies by delivering surface 
water instead of groundwater’’; and 
(2) in the second sentence, by inserting before 
the period at the end the following: ‘‘unless the 
project requires those facilities to deliver the alter-
native water supply’’. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
220(i) of such Act (as so redesignated) is amended by 
striking ‘‘$75,000,000 for fiscal years 2002 through 
2004’’ and inserting ‘‘$150,000,000 for fiscal years 2018 
through 2020’’. 
SEC. 2008. WATER SYSTEM MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION 
GRANTS. 
(a) GRANTS.—Beginning in fiscal year 2018, the Ad-
ministrator shall make grants to owners or operators of 
water systems to address any ongoing or forecasted (based 
on the best available research and data) climate-related 
impact on the water quality or quantity of a region of the 
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United States, for the purposes of mitigating or adapting 
to the impacts of climate change. 
(b) ELIGIBLE USES.—In carrying out this sub-
section, the Administrator shall make grants to assist in 
the planning, design, construction, implementation, or 
maintenance of any program or project to increase the re-
silience of a water system to climate change by— 
(1) conserving water or enhancing water use ef-
ficiency, including through the use of water meter-
ing; 
(2) preserving or improving water quality, in-
cluding through measures to manage, reduce, treat, 
or reuse municipal stormwater, wastewater, or 
drinking water; 
(3) investigating, designing, or constructing 
groundwater remediation, recycled water, or desali-
nation facilities or systems; 
(4) enhancing green infrastructure in the man-
agement or treatment of water, wastewater, or 
stormwater; 
(5) enhancing energy efficiency or the use and 
generation of low-carbon energy in the management, 
conveyance, or treatment of water, wastewater, or 
stormwater; 
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(6) supporting practices and projects, such as 
improved irrigation systems, groundwater recharge, 
stormwater capture, and reuse or recycling of drain-
age water and groundwater, to improve water qual-
ity or promote more efficient water use, including on 
land currently in agricultural production; 
(7) conducting and completing studies or as-
sessments to project how climate change may impact 
the sustainability of water systems; or 
(8) developing and implementing mitigation 
measures to rapidly address impacts on water sys-
tems most susceptible to abrupt climate change, in-
cluding those in the Colorado River Basin and coast-
al regions at risk from rising sea levels. 
(c) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
from the Administrator under subsection (b), the owner 
or operator of a water system shall submit to the Adminis-
trator an application that— 
(1) includes a proposal of the program or strat-
egy to be planned, designed, implemented, or main-
tained by the water system; 
(2) cites the best available research or data that 
demonstrates— 
(A) the risk to the water resources of the 
water system as a result of ongoing or fore-
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casted changes to the hydrological system 
brought about by factors arising from climate 
change, including rising sea levels, temperature 
changes, and changes in precipitation levels; 
and 
(B) how the proposed program or strategy 
would perform under the anticipated climate 
conditions and demonstrates no adverse envi-
ronmental impacts; and 
(3) explains how the proposed program or strat-
egy is expected to enhance the resiliency of the water 
system, including source water protection for com-
munity water systems, to these risks or reduce the 
direct or indirect greenhouse gas emissions of the 
water system. 
(d) COMPETITIVE PROCESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each calendar year, the Ad-
ministrator shall conduct a competitive process to 
select and fund applications under this subsection. 
(2) 
PRIORITY
REQUIREMENTS
AND 
WEIGHTING.—In carrying out the process, the Ad-
ministrator shall— 
(A) prioritize funding of programs or strat-
egies the applications for which— 
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(i) are submitted by the owners or op-
erators of water systems that are, based on 
the best available research and data, at the 
greatest and most immediate risk of facing 
significant climate-related negative impacts 
on water quality or quantity; and 
(ii) propose a program or strategy 
that will provide an environmental benefit; 
(B) in selecting among the priority applica-
tions determined under subparagraph (A), en-
sure that the final list of programs and strate-
gies funded for each year includes programs 
and strategies for disadvantaged communities 
to the maximum extent practicable; and 
(C) select not fewer than three programs 
or strategies to receive a grant under subsection 
(b). 
(3) DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY DEFINED.— 
For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘‘disadvan-
taged community’’ means a community with an an-
nual median household income that is less than 80 
percent of the annual median household income of 
the State in which the community is located. 
(e) COST SHARING.— 
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(1) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of 
the cost of any program or strategy that is the sub-
ject of a grant awarded by the Administrator to a 
water system under subsection (b) shall not exceed 
50 percent of the cost of the program or strategy. 
(2) CALCULATION OF NON-FEDERAL SHARE.— 
In calculating the non-Federal share of the cost of 
a program or strategy proposed by a water system 
through an application submitted by the water sys-
tem under subsection (d), the Administrator shall— 
(A) include the value of any in-kind serv-
ices that are integral to the completion of the 
program or strategy, as determined by the Ad-
ministrator; and 
(B) not include any other amount that the 
water system receives from a Federal agency. 
(f) LABOR STANDARDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—All laborers and mechanics 
employed on infrastructure improvements funded di-
rectly by or assisted in whole or in part by this sec-
tion shall be paid wages at rates not less than those 
prevailing for the same type of work on similar con-
struction in the immediate locality, as determined by 
the Secretary of Labor in accordance with sub-
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chapter IV of chapter 31 of part A of subtitle II of 
title 40, United States Code. 
(2) AUTHORITY
AND
FUNCTIONS.—With re-
spect to the labor standards in this paragraph, the 
Secretary of Labor shall have the authority and 
functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Num-
bered 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. App.) 
and section 3145 of title 40, United States Code. 
(g) REGULATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall promulgate final regulations to carry out this 
section. 
(2) SPECIAL RULE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 
TREATMENT
WORKS.—In carrying out this sub-
section, the Administrator shall incorporate all rel-
evant and appropriate requirements of title VI of the 
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
1381 et seq.) applicable to the construction of treat-
ment works that are carried out under this sub-
section. 
(h) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 3 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 3 years 
thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Congress 
a report on progress in implementing this section, includ-
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ing information on project applications received and fund-
ed annually. 
(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022. 
SEC. 2009. WATERSENSE PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established within 
the Environmental Protection Agency a WaterSense 
program to identify and promote water-efficient 
products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, 
and services so as— 
(A) to reduce water use; 
(B) to reduce the strain on water, waste-
water, and stormwater infrastructure; 
(C) to conserve energy used to pump, heat, 
transport, and treat water; and 
(D) to preserve water resources for future 
generations through voluntary labeling of, or 
other forms of communications about, products, 
buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and 
services that meet the highest water efficiency 
and performance criteria. 
(2) DUTIES.—The Administrator of the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency shall— 
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(A) establish— 
(i) a WaterSense label to be used for 
certain items; and 
(ii) the procedure by which an item 
may be certified to display the WaterSense 
label; 
(B) promote WaterSense-labeled products, 
buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and 
services in the marketplace as the preferred 
technologies and services for— 
(i) reducing water use; and 
(ii) ensuring product and service per-
formance; 
(C) work to enhance public awareness of 
the WaterSense label through public outreach, 
education, and other means; 
(D) 
preserve 
the 
integrity 
of 
the 
WaterSense label by— 
(i) establishing and maintaining per-
formance criteria so that products, build-
ings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and 
services labeled with the WaterSense label 
perform as well or better than less water- 
efficient counterparts; 
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(ii) considering factors, when devel-
oping the performance criteria, to ensure 
that the criteria do not directly or indi-
rectly contribute to the degradation of 
waste streams treated by community sewer 
systems; 
(iii) overseeing WaterSense certifi-
cations made by third parties; 
(iv) conducting reviews of the use of 
the WaterSense label in the marketplace 
and taking corrective action in any case in 
which misuse of the label is identified; and 
(v) carrying out such other measures 
as the Administrator determines to be ap-
propriate; 
(E) regularly review and, if appropriate, 
update WaterSense criteria for categories of 
products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, proc-
esses, and services, at least once every 4 years; 
(F) to the maximum extent practicable, 
regularly estimate and make available to the 
public the production and relative market 
shares of, and the savings of, water, energy, 
and capital costs of water, wastewater, and 
stormwater infrastructure attributable to the 
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use of WaterSense-labeled products, buildings, 
landscapes, facilities, processes, and services, at 
least annually; 
(G) solicit comments from interested par-
ties and the public prior to establishing or re-
vising a WaterSense category, specification, in-
stallation criterion, or other criterion (or prior 
to effective dates for any such category, speci-
fication, installation criterion, or other cri-
terion); 
(H) provide reasonable notice to interested 
parties and the public of any changes (including 
effective dates) on the adoption of a new or re-
vised category, specification, installation cri-
terion, or other criterion, along with— 
(i) an explanation of the changes; and 
(ii) as appropriate, responses to com-
ments submitted by interested parties and 
the public; and 
(I) provide appropriate lead time (as deter-
mined by the Administrator) prior to the appli-
cable effective date for a new or significant revi-
sion to a category, specification, installation cri-
terion, or other criterion, taking into account 
the timing requirements of the manufacturing, 
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marketing, training, and distribution process 
for the specific product, building and landscape, 
or service category addressed; 
(J) identify and, if appropriate, implement 
other voluntary approaches in commercial, insti-
tutional, residential, industrial, and municipal 
sectors to encourage recycling and reuse tech-
nologies to improve water efficiency or lower 
water use; and 
(K) if appropriate, apply the WaterSense 
label to water-using products that are labeled 
by the Energy Star program implemented by 
the Administrator and the Secretary of Energy. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section— 
(1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; 
(2) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
(3) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; and 
(4) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2021. 
SEC. 2010. STATE RESIDENTIAL WATER EFFICIENCY AND 
CONSERVATION INCENTIVES PROGRAM. 
(a) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—An entity shall be eligible 
to receive an allocation under subsection (b) if the entity— 
(1) establishes (or has established), in consulta-
tion with the Department of Energy, an incentive 
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program to provide financial incentives to residential 
consumers for the purchase of residential water-effi-
cient products, buildings, landscapes, processes, or 
services; 
(2) submits an application for the allocation at 
such time, in such form, and containing such infor-
mation as the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency may require; and 
(3) provides assurances satisfactory to the Ad-
ministrator that the entity will use the allocation to 
supplement, but not supplant, funds made available 
to carry out the incentive program. 
(b) AMOUNT
OF ALLOCATIONS.—For each fiscal 
year, the Administrator shall determine the amount to al-
locate to each eligible entity to carry out subsection (c), 
taking into consideration— 
(1) the population served by the eligible entity 
during the most recent calendar year for which data 
are available; 
(2) the targeted population of the incentive pro-
gram of the eligible entity, such as general house-
holds, low-income households, or first-time home 
owners, and the probable effectiveness of the incen-
tive program for that population; 
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(3) for existing programs, the effectiveness of 
the program in encouraging the adoption of water 
efficient products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, 
processes, and services, including the cost-effective-
ness measured as acre-feet saved per program dollar; 
(4) any allocation to the eligible entity for a 
preceding fiscal year that remains unused; and 
(5) the per capita water demand of the popu-
lation served by the eligible entity during the most 
recent calendar year for which data are available 
and the accessibility of water supplies to the eligible 
entity. 
(c) USE OF ALLOCATED FUNDS.—Funds allocated to 
an eligible entity under subsection (b) may be used to pay 
up to 50 percent of the cost of establishing and carrying 
out an incentive program. 
(d) FIXTURE RECYCLING.—Eligible entities are en-
couraged to promote or implement fixture recycling pro-
grams to manage the disposal of older fixtures replaced 
due to the incentive program under this section. 
(e) ISSUANCE OF INCENTIVES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Financial incentives may be 
provided to residential consumers that meet the re-
quirements of the applicable incentive program. 
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(2) MANNER OF ISSUANCE.—An eligible entity 
may— 
(A) issue all financial incentives directly to 
residential consumers; or 
(B) with approval of the Administrator, 
delegate all or part of financial incentive admin-
istration to other organizations, including local 
governments, municipal water authorities, water 
utilities, and nonprofit organizations. 
(3) AMOUNT.—The amount of a financial in-
centive shall be determined by the eligible entity, 
taking into consideration— 
(A) the amount of any Federal or State 
tax incentive available for the purchase of the 
residential water-efficient product or service; 
(B) the amount necessary to change con-
sumer behavior to purchase water-efficient 
products and services; and 
(C) the consumer expenditures for on-site 
preparation, assembly, and original installation 
of the product. 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi-
nitions apply: 
(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means a State government, local or county gov-
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ernment, tribal government, wastewater or sewerage 
utility, municipal water authority, energy utility, 
water utility, or nonprofit organization that meets 
the requirements of subsection (a). 
(2) INCENTIVE PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘incentive 
program’’ means a program for administering finan-
cial incentives for consumer purchase and installa-
tion of water-energy efficient residential tech-
nologies, buildings, landscapes, processes, or serv-
ices. 
(3) RESIDENTIAL WATER-EFFICIENT PRODUCT, 
BUILDING, LANDSCAPE, PROCESS, OR SERVICE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘residential 
water-efficient product, building, landscape, 
process, or service’’ means a product, building, 
landscape, process, or service for a residence or 
its landscape that is rated for water efficiency 
and performance. 
(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘residential 
water-efficient product, building, landscape, 
process, or service’’ includes— 
(i) faucets; 
(ii) irrigation technologies and serv-
ices; 
(iii) reuse and recycling technologies; 
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‘‘(B) GEOTHERMAL
DEPOSIT.—The term 
‘geothermal deposit’ means a geothermal res-
ervoir consisting of natural heat which is stored 
in rocks or in an aqueous liquid or vapor 
(whether or not under pressure).’’. 
(3) Section 48(a)(3)(A)(iii) is amended by 
striking ‘‘section 613(e)(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
45(c)(4)(B)’’. 
(4) Section 381(c) is amended by striking para-
graph (18). 
(5) Section 465(c)(1)(E) is amended by striking 
‘‘section 
613(e)(2)’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘section 
45(c)(4)(B)’’. 
(6) Section 468(d)(3) is amended by striking 
‘‘section 614’’ and inserting ‘‘section 613’’. 
(7) Section 611(a) is amended by striking the 
second sentence. 
(8) Section 613(d), as redesignated by para-
graph (1), is amended by striking ‘‘includes only’’ 
and all that follows and inserting ‘‘includes only an 
interest burdened by the costs of production.’’. 
(9) Section 636(a) is amended by striking ‘‘(for 
purposes of section 613)’’. 
(10) Section 636(d) is amended by striking 
‘‘section 614(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 613(a)’’. 
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