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(c) MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS.—In the exe-
cution of this program, the Assistant Administrator may 
award extramural grants to institutions of higher edu-
cation and shall encourage participation by Minority Serv-
ing Institutions. 
SEC. 4. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Assistant Administrator shall 
coordinate the development of a strategic research plan 
(in this Act referred to as the ‘‘plan’’) for the water use 
efficiency and conservation research and development pro-
gram established in section 3 with all other Environmental 
Protection Agency research and development strategic 
plans. 
(b) PLAN CONTENTS.—The plan shall— 
(1) outline research goals and priorities for a 
water use efficiency and conservation research agen-
da, including— 
(A) developing innovative water supply-en-
hancing processes and technologies; and 
(B) improving existing processes and tech-
nologies, including wastewater treatment, desa-
linization, and groundwater recharge and recov-
ery schemes; 
(2) identify current Federal research efforts on 
water that are directed toward meeting the goals of 
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improving water use efficiency, water conservation, 
or expanding water supply and describe how such ef-
forts are coordinated with the program established 
in section 3 in order to leverage resources and avoid 
duplication; and 
(3) consider and utilize, as appropriate, rec-
ommendations in reports and studies conducted by 
Federal agencies, the National Research Council, the 
National Science and Technology Council, or other 
entities in the development of the plan. 
(c) SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD REVIEW.—The As-
sistant Administrator shall submit the plan to the Science 
Advisory Board of the Environmental Protection Agency 
for review. 
(d) REVISION.—The plan shall be revised and amend-
ed as needed to reflect current scientific findings and na-
tional research priorities. 
SEC. 5. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER. 
The Assistant Administrator, building on the results 
of the activities of the program established under section 
3, shall— 
(1) facilitate the adoption of technology and 
processes to promote water use efficiency and con-
servation; and 
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(2) collect and disseminate information, includ-
ing the establishment of a publicly accessible clear-
inghouse, on technologies and processes to promote 
water use efficiency and conservation, including in-
formation on— 
(A) incentives and impediments to develop-
ment and commercialization; 
(B) best practices; and 
(C) anticipated increases in water use effi-
ciency and conservation resulting from the im-
plementation of specific technologies and proc-
esses. 
SEC. 6. ADVANCED WATER EFFICIENCY DEVELOPMENT 
PROJECTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—As part of the program under sec-
tion 3, the Assistant Administrator shall carry out at least 
4 projects under which the funding is provided for the in-
corporation into a building of the latest water use effi-
ciency and conservation technologies and designs. Funding 
for each project shall be provided only to cover incremental 
costs of water-use efficiency and conservation technologies. 
(b) CRITERIA.—Of the 4 projects described in sub-
section (a), at least 1 shall be for a residential building 
and at least 1 shall be for a commercial building. 
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(c) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The designs of buildings 
with respect to which funding is provided under subsection 
(a) shall be made available to the public, and such build-
ings shall be accessible to the public for tours and edu-
cational purposes. 
SEC. 7. REPORT. 
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and once every 2 years thereafter, the Assist-
ant Administrator shall transmit to Congress a report 
which details the progress being made by the Environ-
mental Protection Agency with regard to— 
(1) water use efficiency and conservation re-
search projects initiated by the Agency; 
(2) development projects initiated by the Agen-
cy; 
(3) outreach and communication activities con-
ducted by the Agency concerning water use effi-
ciency and conservation; and 
(4) development and implementation of the 
plan. 
SEC. 8. WATER MANAGEMENT STUDY AND REPORT. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT.—The Administrator of the 
Environmental Protection Agency shall enter into an 
arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences 
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to complete a study of low impact and soft path 
strategies for management of water supply, waste-
water, and stormwater. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The study shall— 
(A) examine and compare the state of re-
search, technology development, and emerging 
practices in other developed and developing 
countries with those in the United States; 
(B) identify and evaluate relevant system 
approaches for comprehensive water manage-
ment, including the interrelationship of water 
systems with other major systems such as en-
ergy and transportation; 
(C) identify priority research and develop-
ment needs; and 
(D) assess implementation needs and bar-
riers. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency shall transmit to the Com-
mittee on Science and Technology of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Environment and Pub-
lic Works of the Senate a report on the key findings of 
the study conducted under subsection (a). The report shall 
evaluate challenges and opportunities and serve as a prac-
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