IB 
Union Calendar No. 52 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3291 
[Report No. 117–76] 
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 regula-
tions for PFAS, microcystin toxin, and 1,4-dioxane, and for other pur-
poses. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 18, 2021 
Mr. TONKO (for himself and Mr. PALLONE) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
JUNE 29, 2021 
Additional sponsor: Mr. HORSFORD 
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 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on May 18, 2021] 
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A BILL 
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 Agen-
cy to promulgate national primary drinking water regula-
tions for PFAS, microcystin toxin, and 1,4-dioxane, and 
for other purposes. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘As-
sistance, 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. 
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TITLE I—INFRASTRUCTURE 
SEC. 101. DRINKING WATER SYSTEM RESILIENCE FUNDING. 
Section 1433(g) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 
U.S.C. 300i–2(g)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and 2021’’ 
and inserting ‘‘through 2031’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (6)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘25,000,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘50,000,000’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘2020 and 2021’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2022 through 2031’’. 
SEC. 102. GRANTS FOR STATE PROGRAMS. 
Section 1443(a)(7) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 
U.S.C. 300j–2(a)(7)) is amended by striking ‘‘and 2021’’ 
and inserting ‘‘through 2031’’. 
SEC. 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)) is amended by striking ‘‘Dur-
ing fiscal years 2019 through 2023, funds’’ and inserting 
‘‘Funds’’. 
SEC. 104. ASSISTANCE FOR DISADVANTAGED COMMU-
NITIES. 
Section 1452(d)(2)(A) of the Safe Drinking Water Act 
(42 U.S.C. 300j–12(d)(2)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘35 
percent’’ and inserting ‘‘40 percent’’. 
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SEC. 105. ALLOTMENTS FOR TERRITORIES. 
Section 1452(j) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 
U.S.C. 300j–12(j)) is amended by striking ‘‘0.33 percent’’ 
and inserting ‘‘1.5 percent’’. 
SEC. 106. DRINKING WATER SRF FUNDING. 
Section 1452(m)(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act 
(42 U.S.C. 300j–12(m)(1)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘and’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘2021.’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2021;’’; and 
(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.’’. 
SEC. 107. LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1452 of the Safe Drinking 
Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–12) is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(u) LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the capital-
ization grants to eligible States under subsection 
(a)(1), the Administrator shall offer to enter into 
agreements with States, Indian Tribes, and the terri-
tories described in subsection (j) to make grants, in-
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cluding letters of credit, to such States, Indian Tribes, 
and territories under this subsection to fund the re-
placement 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 reallot-
ted under subsection (a)(1) as a capitaliza-
tion 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 11⁄2 percent of the amounts made 
available each fiscal year to carry out this sub-
section to make grants to Indian Tribes. 
‘‘(C) OTHER
AREAS.—Funds made avail-
able to carry out this subsection shall be allotted 
to territories described in subsection (j) in ac-
cordance with such subsection. 
‘‘(3) GRANTS.—Notwithstanding any other pro-
vision of this section, funds made available under this 
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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 sub-
section (b)(3); and 
‘‘(B) provide, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, 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, In-
dian 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 
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(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 RE-
PLACEMENT.—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 replace-
ment 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 pri-
vate owner. 
‘‘(8) 
DISADVANTAGED
COMMUNITY
ASSIST-
ANCE.—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) 
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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 sub-
section. 
‘‘(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 appro-
priated in that fiscal year, such amounts are au-
thorized to be appropriated in a subsequent fis-
cal year. Such sums shall remain available until 
expended. 
‘‘(11) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this sub-
section: 
‘‘(A) 
DISADVANTAGED
COMMUNITY.—The 
term ‘disadvantaged community’ has the mean-
ing given such term in subsection (d)(3). 
‘‘(B) ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE
COMMU-
NITY.—The term ‘environmental justice commu-
nity’ means any population of color, community 
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of color, indigenous community, or low-income 
community that experiences a disproportionate 
burden of the negative human health and envi-
ronmental impacts of pollution or other environ-
mental hazards. 
‘‘(C) LEAD SERVICE LINE.—The term ‘lead 
service line’ means a pipe and its fittings, which 
are not lead free (as defined in section 1417(d)), 
that connect the drinking water main to the 
building inlet.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 1452(m)(1) 
of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–12(m)(1)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘(a)(2)(G) and (t)’’ and inserting 
‘‘(a)(2)(G), (t), and (u)’’. 
SEC. 108. DRINKING WATER ASSISTANCE TO COLONIAS. 
Section 1456 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 
U.S.C. 300j–16) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as 
paragraph (3); and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) COVERED ENTITY.—The term ‘covered enti-
ty’ means each of the following: 
‘‘(A) A border State. 
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‘‘(B) A local government with jurisdiction 
over an eligible community.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘border State’’ 
and inserting ‘‘covered entity’’; 
(3) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘shall not ex-
ceed 50 percent’’ and inserting ‘‘may not be less than 
80 percent’’; and 
(4) in subsection (e)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘$25,000,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘$100,000,000’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘1997 through 1999’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2022 through 2026’’. 
SEC. 109. PFAS TREATMENT GRANTS. 
Part E of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j 
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
‘‘SEC. 1459E. ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITY WATER SYS-
TEMS 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 com-
munity water systems to pay for capital costs associated 
with the implementation of eligible treatment technologies. 
‘‘(b) APPLICATIONS.— 
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‘‘(1) GUIDANCE.—Not later than 12 months after 
the date of enactment of this section, the Adminis-
trator shall publish guidance describing the form and 
timing for community water systems to apply for 
grants under this section. 
‘‘(2) REQUIRED
INFORMATION.—The Adminis-
trator shall require a community water system apply-
ing 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 tech-
nology 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
TECH-
NOLOGIES.—Not later than 150 days after the date of enact-
ment of this section, and every 2 years thereafter, the Ad-
ministrator shall publish a list of treatment technologies 
that the Administrator determines are the most effective at 
removing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances 
from drinking water. 
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‘‘(d) PRIORITY FOR FUNDING.—In awarding grants 
under this section, the Administrator shall prioritize an af-
fected 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 determina-
tion under the first sentence of section 1424(e) relat-
ing to an aquifer that is the sole or principal drink-
ing water source for the area. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be ap-
propriated 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 be-
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ginning 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’ means a 
community water system that is affected by the pres-
ence of a perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance 
in the water in the community water system. 
‘‘(2) DISADVANTAGED
COMMUNITY.—The term 
‘disadvantaged community’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 1452. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY.—The 
term ‘eligible treatment technology’ means a treat-
ment technology included on the list published under 
subsection (c).’’. 
SEC. 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)) is amended by striking ‘‘and 2021’’ 
and inserting ‘‘through 2031’’. 
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SEC. 111. GRANT PROGRAM FOR INSTALLATION OF FILTRA-
TION STATIONS AT SCHOOLS AND CHILD 
CARE PROGRAMS. 
Section 1464 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 
U.S.C. 300j–24) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(e) GRANT PROGRAM FOR INSTALLATION AND MAIN-
TENANCE OF FILTRATION STATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) PROGRAM.—The Administrator shall estab-
lish 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 edu-
cational 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) lo-
cated 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— 
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‘‘(A) installation and maintenance of filtra-
tion 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 Admin-
istrator shall give priority to States and local edu-
cational agencies that will assist in voluntary instal-
lation and maintenance of filtration stations at 
schools and child care programs that are in low-in-
come areas. 
‘‘(5) GUIDANCE.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Adminis-
trator shall establish guidance to carry out the pro-
gram established under this subsection. 
‘‘(6) NO PRIOR TESTING REQUIRED.—The pro-
gram established under this subsection shall not re-
quire 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 
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program’ and ‘local educational agency’ have the 
meaning given such terms in subsection (d). 
‘‘(B) FILTRATION STATION.—The term ‘fil-
tration station’ means an apparatus that— 
‘‘(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 Na-
tional 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.’’. 
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SEC. 112. DRINKING WATER FOUNTAIN REPLACEMENT FOR 
SCHOOLS. 
Section 1465(d) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 
U.S.C. 300j–25(d)) is amended by striking ‘‘2021’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2031’’. 
SEC. 113. INDIAN RESERVATION DRINKING WATER PRO-
GRAM. 
Section 2001(d) of America’s Water Infrastructure Act 
of 2018 (Public Law 115–270) is amended by striking 
‘‘2022’’ and inserting ‘‘2031’’. 
SEC. 114. ASSISTANCE FOR AREAS AFFECTED BY NATURAL 
DISASTERS. 
Section 2020 of America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 
2018 (Public Law 115–270) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(e)(1)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (f)(1)’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (c) through (e) 
as subsections (d) through (f), respectively; 
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) ASSISTANCE FOR TERRITORIES.—The Adminis-
trator 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 in-
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crease compliance with national primary drinking water 
regulations.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (f), as so redesignated— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘STATE RE-
VOLVING FUND CAPITALIZATION’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A), by inserting ‘‘and to make 
grants under subsection (c) of this section,’’ 
before ‘‘to be available’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting 
‘‘or subsection (c), as applicable’’ after ‘‘sub-
section (b)(1)’’. 
TITLE II—SAFETY 
SEC. 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)) is repealed. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 1412(b) of 
the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300g–1(b)) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3)(C)(i)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘paragraph (5) or (6)(A)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘paragraph (5)’’; and 
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(B) by striking ‘‘paragraphs (4), (5), and 
(6)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (4) and (5)’’; 
and 
(2) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ‘‘para-
graphs (5) and (6)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (5)’’. 
SEC. 202. NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULA-
TIONS FOR PFAS. 
Section 1412(b) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 
U.S.C. 300g–1(b)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(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 oppor-
tunity for public comment, promulgate a na-
tional 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’); and 
‘‘(ii) 
perfluorooctane 
sulfonic 
acid 
(commonly referred to as ‘PFOS’). 
‘‘(B) ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES.— 
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stances 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 de-
scribed in section 1458. 
‘‘(F) HEALTH RISK REDUCTION AND COST 
ANALYSIS.—In meeting the requirements of para-
graph (3)(C), the Administrator may rely on in-
formation available to the Administrator with 
respect to one or more specific perfluoroalkyl or 
polyfluoroalkyl substances to extrapolate rea-
soned 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
SUB-
STANCES.— 
‘‘(i) DETERMINATION.—The Adminis-
trator shall make a determination under 
paragraph (1)(A), using the criteria de-
scribed in clauses (i) through (iii) of that 
paragraph, 
whether 
to 
include 
a 
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perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance 
or class of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl 
substances in the national primary drink-
ing water regulation under subparagraph 
(A) not later than 18 months after the later 
of— 
‘‘(I) the date on which the 
perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl sub-
stance or class of perfluoroalkyl or 
polyfluoroalkyl substances is listed on 
the list of contaminants for consider-
ation 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 
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substance 
or 
class 
of 
perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl 
substances from a Federal or 
State agency that the Adminis-
trator determines to be of a qual-
ity sufficient to make a deter-
mination 
under 
paragraph 
(1)(A). 
‘‘(ii) PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGU-
LATIONS.— 
‘‘(I) 
IN
GENERAL.—For 
each 
perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl sub-
stance or class of perfluoroalkyl or 
polyfluoroalkyl substances that the Ad-
ministrator 
determines 
to 
regulate 
under clause (i), the Administrator— 
‘‘(aa) not later than 18 
months after the date on which 
the Administrator makes the de-
termination, shall propose a na-
tional primary drinking water 
regulation for the perfluoroalkyl 
or polyfluoroalkyl substance or 
class 
of 
perfluoroalkyl 
or 
polyfluoroalkyl substances; and 
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‘‘(bb) may publish the pro-
posed national primary drinking 
water regulation described in item 
(aa) concurrently with the publi-
cation of the determination to reg-
ulate 
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 na-
tional primary drinking water 
regulation. 
‘‘(bb) EXTENSION.—The Ad-
ministrator, on publication of no-
tice in the Federal Register, may 
extend the deadline under item 
(aa) by not more than 6 months. 
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‘‘(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 pri-
mary drinking water regulation not later 
than 1 year after the later of— 
‘‘(I) the date on which the Admin-
istrator finalizes a toxicity value for 
the perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl 
substance or class of perfluoroalkyl or 
polyfluoroalkyl substances; and 
‘‘(II) the date on which the Ad-
ministrator validates an effective qual-
ity 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 
sub-
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stances 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 pub-
lication of a health advisory, and publishes 
such determination, including the informa-
tion and analysis used, and basis for, such 
determination, in the Federal Register.’’. 
SEC. 203. NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULA-
TIONS FOR MICROCYSTIN TOXIN. 
Section 1412(b) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 
U.S.C. 300g–1(b)) is further amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(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, the Administrator shall publish a max-
imum contaminant level goal and promulgate a 
national primary drinking water regulation for 
microcystin toxin. 
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‘‘(B) HEALTH
PROTECTION.—The max-
imum contaminant level goal and national pri-
mary drinking water regulation promulgated 
under subparagraph (A) shall be protective of the 
health of subpopulations at greater risk, as de-
scribed in section 1458.’’. 
SEC. 204. NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULA-
TIONS FOR 1,4–DIOXANE. 
Section 1412(b) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 
U.S.C. 300g–1(b)) is further amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(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, the Administrator shall publish a max-
imum contaminant level goal and promulgate a 
national primary drinking water regulation for 
1,4–dioxane. 
‘‘(B) HEALTH
PROTECTION.—The max-
imum contaminant level goal and national pri-
mary drinking water regulation promulgated 
under subparagraph (A) shall be protective of the 
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health of subpopulations at greater risk, as de-
scribed in section 1458.’’. 
SEC. 205. ELIMINATION OF SMALL SYSTEM VARIANCES. 
(a) SMALL SYSTEM VARIANCES.—Section 1415 (42 
U.S.C. 300g–4) of the Safe Drinking Water Act is amended 
by striking subsection (e). 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 1412(b)(15) of the Safe Drinking 
Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300g–1(b)(15)) is amended by 
striking subparagraph (D). 
(2) Section 1414(c)(1)(B) of the Safe Drinking 
Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300g–3(c)(1)(B)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘, (a)(2), or (e)’’ and inserting ‘‘or (a)(2)’’. 
(3) Section 1416(b)(2) of the Safe Drinking 
Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300g–5(b)(2)) is amended by 
striking subparagraph (D). 
(4) Section 1445(h) of the Safe Drinking Water 
Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–4(h)) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘sections 1412(b)(4)(E) and 
1415(e) (relating to small system variance pro-
gram)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 1412(b)(4)(E)’’; 
and 
(B) by striking ‘‘guidance under sections 
1412(b)(4)(E) and 1415(e)’’ and inserting ‘‘guid-
ance under section 1412(b)(4)(E)’’. 
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TITLE III—AFFORDABILITY 
SEC. 301. EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM. 
Part F of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 
300j–21 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘SEC. 1466. EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM.—The Adminis-
trator 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 for-
giveness of arrearages and fees incurred by eligible residen-
tial customers before the date of enactment of this section 
to help such eligible residential customers retain, or recon-
nect or restore, water service. 
‘‘(b) CONDITIONS.—To receive funds under this sec-
tion, a public water system shall agree to— 
‘‘(1) except as otherwise provided in this section, 
use such funds to forgive all arrearages and fees relat-
ing 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 de-
scribed in paragraph (1) is not possible given the 
amount of funds received, except as otherwise pro-
vided in this section, use such funds to reduce such 
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arrearages and fees for each eligible residential cus-
tomer by, to the extent practicable, a consistent per-
centage; 
‘‘(3) take no action that negatively affects the 
credit score of an eligible residential customer, or pur-
sue 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 non-
payment or arrearages during such 5-year period; 
and 
‘‘(5) provide to the Administrator such informa-
tion as the Administrator determines appropriate. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS.—To be eligible for forgive-
ness or reduction of arrearages and fees pursuant to the 
program established under subsection (a), a residential cus-
tomer of a public water system shall have accrued new ar-
rearages 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 author-
ize a public water system receiving funds under this section 
to use up to 5 percent of such funds for expenses relating 
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to reconnecting or restoring water service, including ex-
penses 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 ex-
penses. 
‘‘(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 Environ-
ment and Public Works of the Senate a report that de-
scribes— 
‘‘(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— 
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‘‘(A) the amount of arrearages and fees for-
given or reduced; 
‘‘(B) the number of eligible residential cus-
tomers 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) in-
curred before the date of enactment of this section 
that remain outstanding; 
‘‘(D) the number of eligible residential cus-
tomers that did not benefit from forgiveness or 
reduction of arrearages and fees under this sec-
tion; and 
‘‘(E) the amount of arrearages and fees of 
customers described in subparagraph (D) in-
curred before the date of enactment of this section 
that remain outstanding; and 
‘‘(4) a summary of any other information pro-
vided 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.’’. 
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TITLE IV—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 401. SMALL URBAN AND RURAL WATER SYSTEM CON-
SOLIDATION 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 improve-
ments; 
(iv) the degree to which covered small 
water systems are not in compliance with 
applicable Federal and State water quality 
standards; 
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(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 sys-
tems to provide service at affordable rates; 
(B) an evaluation of— 
(i) whether covered small water system 
infrastructure is failing, resulting in a tem-
porary or permanent loss of essential func-
tions or services; and 
(ii) how to prevent covered small water 
systems from becoming distressed small 
water systems; 
(C) policy recommendations for how Con-
gress may support the consolidation of distressed 
small water systems; and 
(D) best practices and guidelines the Ad-
ministrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency may use to assist State and local govern-
ments with facilitating the consolidation of dis-
tressed small water systems. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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