Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act becomes law

President Barack Obama signed the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act, S. 611, into law this week, making it easier for small, rural communities to get assistance in maintaining drinking water quality.

“Across our country over 90 percent of community water systems serve a population of less than 10,000,”  U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS), who serves as the vice chairman of the Environment and the Economy Subcommittee and who introduced the bill with U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY), said. “The technical assistance in S. 611 would help those communities in Mississippi comply with the financial challenges they face under the Safe Drinking Water Act. I’m thankful this important bipartisan legislation was signed into law. It will go a long way in improving and protecting water resources in small and rural communities across the country.”

The law is a companion to H.R. 2853 and passed unanimously in the House of Representatives. It will help communities that would otherwise struggle to meet the technical and financial requirements of maintaining drinking water systems.

“This bill helps level the playing field and delivers a big win for our smaller and more rural communities in Southwest Michigan and throughout the nation,” U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, said. “This law will help many communities comply with federal safe drinking water regulations and ensure access to a safe water supply. Subcommittee Chairman [John] Shimkus (R-IL) and Vice Chairman Harper deserve credit for their efforts in getting this bipartisan bill across the finish line and adding to our record of success.”