Thursday, March 28, 2024

Cramer applauds House advancement of Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Act

U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) recently lauded the House advancement of the Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Act, which received unanimous approval in the Senate in June and will now go to President Barack Obama to be signed into law.

The bill, S. 611, reauthorizes the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) program that aids small public water systems through technical assistance, until 2020, providing for the current funding of $15 million each year. The bill also earmarks 3 percent of that funding for assistance to public water systems serving Indian Tribes.

“Rural communities across North Dakota work tirelessly to ensure their citizens have access to safe and reliable drinking water,” Cramer said. “Unfortunately, complying with the EPA’s regulations is beyond the capacity of many small rural water districts. This bill ensures small rural water systems have access to the resources and support they need to maintain and manage our nation’s rural water systems.”