S. 1324: To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to modify eligibility for the State response to contaminants program, and for other purposes.

This bill proposes amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act, specifically relating to the State response to contaminants program. The key changes outlined in the bill include:

1. Technical Modifications

The bill includes several technical amendments to clarify the eligibility criteria and processes for states seeking assistance for water contamination issues. This involves revising how contaminants are defined and how well owners can be involved in the assistance programs.

2. Grant Eligibility Expansion

States would have the ability to apply for grants based on specific criteria, which would include:

• Communities classified by the state as disadvantaged due to certain affordability criteria.
• Communities that may become disadvantaged as a result of activities conducted to address water contamination.
• Communities with populations under 10,000 that lack the financial capacity to undertake necessary water contamination activities.
• Owners of private drinking water wells that are not part of public water systems.

3. Administrative Authority

The bill grants additional authority to the Administrator of the program to define and implement these criteria, enabling better targeting of resources toward communities most in need of assistance.

4. Community Benefit Focus

The amendments emphasize not only state compliance but also the benefits to specific communities and individual well owners, highlighting a shift towards supporting smaller and disadvantaged communities directly.

5. Simplification of Language

The bill also aims to simplify the language of the existing legislation, making it more straightforward for states and communities to understand their eligibility and the application processes for assistance concerning water contaminants.

6. Implications for Uncertain Contaminants

There is a clarification in the definition of contaminants, specifying that it refers to those that are acknowledged by the state, which could streamline how states report and manage identified water issues.

Relevant Companies

• DEO: Diageo may be indirectly impacted as they produce beverages that depend on clean water sources, affecting their operations in regions categorized as disadvantaged.
• AEP: American Electric Power could face regulatory changes related to water supply and management, impacting their operational costs and infrastructure investments.