42 U.S.C. § 300j–3d

Water supply cost savings

(a) Drinking water technology clearinghouse

The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall—

(1)

develop a technology clearinghouse for information on the cost-effectiveness of innovative and alternative drinking water delivery systems, including wells and well systems; and

(2)

disseminate such information to the public and to communities and not-for-profit organizations seeking Federal funding for drinking water delivery systems serving 500 or fewer persons.

(b) Water system assessment

In any application for a grant or loan for the purpose of construction, replacement, or rehabilitation of a drinking water delivery system serving 500 or fewer persons, the funding for which would come from the Federal Government (either directly or through a State), a unit of local government or not-for-profit organization shall self-certify that the unit of local government or organization has considered, as an alternative drinking water supply, drinking water delivery systems sourced by publicly owned—

(1)

individual wells;

(2)

shared wells; and

(3)

community wells.

Not later than 3 years after December 16, 2016 , the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report that describes—

(1)

the use of innovative and alternative drinking water delivery systems described in this section;

(2)

the range of cost savings for communities using innovative and alternative drinking water delivery systems described in this section; and

(3)

the use of drinking water technical assistance programs operated by the Administrator and the Secretary of Agriculture.

( Pub. L. 114–322, title II, § 2108 , Dec. 16, 2016 , 130 Stat. 1728 .)