Water Supply Cost Savings Act introduced in US Senate to improve rural drinking water infrastructure

A new bill called Water Supply Cost Savings Act has been introduced in the US Senate which will provide cost-effective solutions to improve access to drinking water in rural areas.

Water Systems Council, Water Quality Association and National Groundwater Association have welcomed the bipartisan ‘Water Supply Cost Savings Act’ introduced by US Senators John Boozman, Jon Tester and Ben Cardin, as it can resolve the water infrastructure funding crisis faced by US rural communities.

Also known as ‘Savings Act’, the legislation is aimed at providing critical information to small communities in the US regarding the use of water wells and water well systems for affordable drinking water.

The proposed Act will be able to serve the potable water technology needs for small communities through a Drinking Water Technology Clearinghouse set up.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator and US Department of Agriculture (USDA) secretary will spread information at the centre about economic and innovative alternative drinking water delivery alternatives which will include systems supported by wells.

Boozman said: "For small, isolated communities, these wells can save money and make life better. This bill will encourage agencies to support this low-cost solution by providing technical support. The bill also encourages small communities to consider water wells as one of the supply options when new water systems are built."

Water Systems Council executive director Margaret Martens said: "The bipartisan Water Supply Cost Savings Act will ensure that USDA and EPA provide those charged with delivering drinking water in rural America with critical information on the use of wells and well systems.

"The Water Supply Cost Savings Act is a win for rural America and the American taxpayer The Savings Act is aimed at reducing the costs to federal, state, and local governments in providing quality drinking water to millions of Americans living in rural and isolated communities by promoting cost-effective community well water systems."

Tester said: "This bill will help raise awareness about all the water infrastructure options that are available to local communities so they can provide safe and reliable water to families, small businesses, and family farms and ranches in rural America."

Drinking water infrastructure in the US faces a shortfall of $64bn investment, according to a recent Water Drinking Needs Survey conducted by the EPA.

The proposed Act is likely to update existing EPA and USDA programmes, offering information about cost-saving alternatives.