Membrane Processes Research Act of 1992
PL 102-490 (H.R.3673), enacted 10/24/1992

106 STAT. 3142 
PUBLIC LAW 102-490—OCT. 24, 1992 
Public Law 102-490 
102d Congress 
An Act 
Oct. 24, 1992 
To authorize a research program through the National Science Foundation on 
[H.R. 3673] 
the treatment of contaminated water through membrane processes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of 
Membrane 
the United States of America in Congress assembled. 
Processes 
Research Act of 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
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This Act mav be cited as the "Membrane Processes Research 
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Act of 1992". 
42 use 10341. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds that— 
(1) there is an increasing threat of impairment to the 
quantity and quality of the Nation's water resources due to, 
among other things, growing national needs, recurring drought 
in the Western States, point and nonpoint source pollution, 
and saltwater intrusion into existing groundwater supplies; 
(2) many communities in the United States have water 
supplies containing high salinity levels or contaminants which 
pose health risks; 
(3) the Nation needs to develop economical processes to 
treat existing water supplies that are contaminated; 
(4) it is necessary to provide for research into new tech-
niques to reclaim waste water and to convert saline and other 
contaminated waters to a quality suitable for municipal, indus-
trial, agricultural, recreational, and other beneficial uses; 
(5) there is very little Federal funding being applied to 
basic research in the field of treatment of contaminated water 
through membrane processes; and 
(6) the treatment of contaminated water through membrane 
processes will solve a wide variety of water treatment problems, 
including compliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control 
Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act. 
42 use 10342. 
SEC. 3. RESEARCH PROGRAM. 
The Director of the National Science Foundation shall establish 
a basic research program on membranes and membrane processes. 
Such program may be carried out through awarding grants, entering 
into contracts or cooperative agreements, or direct research. 
42 use 10343. 
SEC. 4. GOALS OF RESEARCH PROGRAM. 
The goals of the research program established under section 
3 shall be— 
(1) the development of membranes resistant to degradation, 
bacterial or otherwise, thereby extending the life of such 
membranes; 
(2) the development of membranes useful for the efficient 
and cost effective treatment of contaminated water; and 
(3) the development of innovative technologies for mem-
brane processes. 
PUBLIC LAW 102-490—OCT. 24, 1992 
106 STAT. 3143 
SEC. 5. COORDINATION WITH OTHER RESEARCH. 
42 USC 10344. 
The research program established under section 3 shall be 
carried out in coordination with any other related Federal research 
efforts. 
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
42 USC 10345. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director of 
the National Science Foundation, from sums otherwise authorized 
to be appropriated, $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1993, for carrying 
out this Act. 
Approved October 24,1992. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3673: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 102-566 (Comm. on Science, Space, and Technology). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 138 (1992): 
June 29, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 7, considered and passed Senate.