Bill would help households install or upgrade wastewater systems through USDA grant program

Washington D.C. — U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell (AL-07) and Mike Rogers (AL-03) introduced the Rural Decentralized Water Systems Reauthorization Act in the House of Representatives. This bipartisan, bicameral bill would combat Alabama’s rural wastewater crisis by strengthening and expanding the existing United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Decentralized Water Systems Program which provides grants to help low- and moderate-income households install or upgrade individually owned decentralized wastewater systems.

The program was created by Sewell and Rogers' Rural Septic Tank Access Act which was included and passed in the 2018 Farm Bill.

"I have seen firsthand the health and environmental hazards caused by failing wastewater systems in rural Alabama," said Rep. Sewell. "No family should have to endure these conditions simply because they cannot afford the exorbitant cost of maintaining their own wastewater system or lack access to municipal lines. In 2018, we took an important step toward addressing this crisis by making federal grants available to low- and moderate-income households. We are working hard to strengthen and expand this program so that we can provide greater assistance to the families who need it."

“Every community in Alabama is affected by rural wastewater access,” said Rep. Rogers. “I am proud to work with my friend from the state of Alabama, Rep. Terri Sewell, to reintroduce legislation for a critical grant program for Alabama’s waterways. Through this program, more Alabamians will gain access to the safe water systems they desperately need. I look forward to continuing this bipartisan and bicameral work to see this program reauthorized.”

Approximately 20 percent of Americans dispose of wastewater through their own sewage disposal systems. Because these systems have high maintenance costs, certain failures often go unaddressed, potentially endangering the health of millions of Americans living in areas where water can be contaminated. The problem is particularly dire in parts of rural Alabama where—in the absence of municipal wastewater systems—many families have struggled to afford the installation and maintenance costs associated with individually owned wastewater systems.

The Rural Decentralized Water Systems Reauthorization Act:

• Reauthorizes the Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program through 2031
• Reinstates eligibility for loans to individuals earning up to 100 percent of the area median income.
• Targets funding through subgrants to individuals earning 60 percent or less of the area median income.
  Increases the maximum subgrant or loan amount from $15,000 to $20,000.
• Allows subgrant funding to include the cost of a performance warranty for individually owned household decentralized wastewater systems.

Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).

“Hundreds of thousands of homes across the U.S. lack access to basic sewage systems, with many left with no option but to straight-pipe raw sewage directly into their back yards.” said Senator Booker. "Many New Jerseyans in low-income households are dealing with broken or outdated wastewater systems, and this bill will help provide better access to wastewater infrastructure for families who desperately need it.” 

“Strengthening infrastructure across West Virginia has long been a top priority for me,” Senator Capito said. “This legislation will improve home water systems in our state and reauthorize the Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program, a program that has delivered real results for West Virginians. This legislation is also included in my Farm Bill priorities this year, and I look forward to continuing my work to move it forward.”

Bill text can be found here.

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