To amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to modify provisions relating to rural decentralized water systems grants.
Sponsored By: Representative Sewell
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a grant program that funds private nonprofit organizations to make loans and subgrants for constructing, refurbishing, and servicing individually owned household water wells and decentralized wastewater systems in rural areas. It centers on grants to nonprofits for rural household water and wastewater systems and sets clear income-based rules for who gets grants versus loans.
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- Low-income rural households would qualify for subgrants if their combined income is less than 60% of the area's nonmetropolitan median, with the median set by the most recent decennial census and household income measured over the most recent 12 months.
- Households at or above 60% of that area median would be eligible for loans instead, and the bill raises the loan cap to $20,000 from $15,000.
- Subgrants for decentralized wastewater systems could include extra funding to buy a performance warranty that lasts at least 5 years.
- Private nonprofit organizations would receive grants to issue those loans and subgrants within their service areas. The bill also shifts a program date from 2023 to 2031, extending the referenced deadline.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More water and septic help for rural homeowners
If enacted, the bill would let the USDA Secretary give grants to private nonprofit organizations so they can make loans and subgrants to individuals for construction, refurbishing, or servicing of private household water wells and decentralized home wastewater systems in rural areas. Subgrants would go to households whose combined income for the most recent 12 months is less than 60% of the area’s median nonmetropolitan household income (using the most recent decennial census). Loans would be for households with combined income at or above 60% of that same area median, and loans would be capped at $20,000 per household. A subgrant for a decentralized wastewater system could include extra funds to cover the cost of a performance warranty that lasts at least five years. Assistance would be available only through participating private nonprofits and only for systems that households own or will own.
Program deadline extended to 2031
If enacted, the bill would change the year in subsection (d) from 2023 to 2031, extending the referenced deadline or authorization through 2031. This change would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sewell
AL • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3]
AL • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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