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119-hr-4879119th CongressWALLET

Emergency Rural Water Response Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]

In Committee

Summary

Faster emergency water access for rural communities. This bill would speed emergency water response by expanding disaster water grant uses and by temporarily waiving some discharge permit rules for portable treatment units.

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  • Families and households in disaster zones would get cleaner water faster because portable water treatment and filtration units could operate without a permit for up to 6 months after a state disaster or emergency declaration.
  • Rural water systems and local governments would be eligible for broader grant support for water resources infrastructure, including potable water, wastewater, storm drainage, and solid waste projects. The bill would raise the program population cutoff from 10,000 to 35,000.
  • Emergency responders would be able to deploy portable treatment facilities more quickly because the bill would add an exemption to Section 402(l) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act for discharges from those units during the 6‑month post-disaster window.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More emergency water grants for small towns

If enacted, this would let towns up to 35,000 people apply for emergency water grants. It would also allow grant funds to cover drinking water, sewer, storm drains, and solid waste facilities. Local governments and water systems could apply for this help. This could speed emergency water fixes for households in small and rural communities.

Faster clean water after disasters

If enacted, this would waive Clean Water Act section 402 permits for some emergency portable water units. The waiver would apply in the affected area for the six months right after a State disaster or emergency is declared. It would cover discharges from portable treatment and filtration units installed to provide clean water for the response. This could help operators bring safe water to people faster during disasters.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 9/15/2025

  • Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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