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Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-110

§1291 Sewage Collection Systems

Title 33 › CHAPTER 26 — WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL › SUBCHAPTER II — GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF TREATMENT WORKS › § 1291

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Grants for sewage collection systems can only pay for two kinds of projects. One, replacing or majorly fixing an existing collection system when that work is needed for the proper function of the community’s wastewater treatment. Two, building a new collection system in a community that already has or plans enough treatment capacity and follows section 1281. If the Administrator uses population density to judge a collector sewer, it can only be to compare options and to see how the system might affect groundwater or surface water. Money authorized for any fiscal year from October 1, 1977, through September 30, 1990, cannot be used for treatment works meant to control pollutant discharges from separate storm sewer systems.

Full Legal Text

Title 33, §1291

Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Existing and new systems
No grant shall be made for a sewage collection system under this subchapter unless such grant (1) is for replacement or major rehabilitation of an existing collection system and is necessary to the total integrity and performance of the waste treatment works servicing such community, or (2) is for a new collection system in an existing community with sufficient existing or planned capacity adequately to treat such collected sewage and is consistent with section 1281 of this title.
(b)Use of population density as test
If the Administrator uses population density as a test for determining the eligibility of a collector sewer for assistance it shall be only for the purpose of evaluating alternatives and determining the needs for such system in relation to ground or surface water quality impact.
(c)Pollutant discharges from separate storm sewer systems
No grant shall be made under this subchapter from funds authorized for any fiscal year during the period beginning October 1, 1977, and ending September 30, 1990, for treatment works for control of pollutant discharges from separate storm sewer systems.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1987—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–4 substituted “1990” for “1985”. 1981—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–117 substituted “
September 30, 1985” for “
September 30, 1982”. 1977—Pub. L. 95–217 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsecs. (b) and (c).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

33 U.S.C. § 1291

Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110