March 19, 2026
Ms. Stevens (for herself and Mr. Fitzpatrick) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
To establish a grant program for advanced wastewater treatment projects, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Advanced wastewater treatment projects
(a) In general
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall establish a program to provide a grant to each State in accordance with the formula established pursuant to subsection (b) for advanced wastewater treatment projects.
(b) Grant allotment
The Administrator shall establish a formula to determine the amount allotted to each State under this section.
(c) Administrative costs
(1) Administrator
The Administrator may use not more than 1 percent of the amounts made available to carry out this section to administer the grant program established under this section.
(2) State
Each State may use not more than 1 percent of a grant provided under this section for administrative costs.
(d) Cost sharing
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), the non-Federal share of the cost of an advanced wastewater treatment project carried out under this section shall be at least 50 percent.
(2) Disadvantaged communities
The non-Federal share required under paragraph (1) shall not apply to an advanced wastewater treatment project that serves a qualified disadvantaged community.
(e) Set aside
Of the amounts made available to carry out this section, not less than 49 percent shall be used for advanced wastewater treatment projects that—
(1)
serve qualified disadvantaged communities;
(2)
are operated by a rural, small, or tribal publicly owned treatment works and provide either a direct or indirect benefit to a qualified disadvantaged community; and
(3)
are operated by a public regional water provider that serves 2 or more qualified disadvantaged communities with a combined population of more than 100,000.
(f) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000,000 for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, to remain available until expended.
(g) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Advanced wastewater treatment project
The term advanced wastewater treatment project
means a project or activity for advanced wastewater treatment (as defined by the Administrator) that is eligible for assistance under section 603(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1383(c)).
(2) Qualified disadvantaged community
The term qualified disadvantaged community
means a municipality or intermunicipal, interstate, or State agency described in section 603(i)(1)(A) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1383(i)(1)(A)).
(3) State
The term State
has the meaning given such term in section 502(3) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362).
Sec. 3. Study on efficacy of advanced wastewater treatment technologies
(a) In general
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a comprehensive study on the efficacy of advanced wastewater treatment technologies in capturing emerging contaminants, including nanomaterials and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
(b) Reports
(1) Interim report
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall make publicly available an interim report on the study conducted under subsection (a).
(2) Final report
Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Academies shall make publicly available a final report the study conducted under subsection (a).