Sec. 327. Support for innovative water supply and conservation technologies
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In order to promote the development of innovative water supply and conservation technologies, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is authorized, on a competitive basis, to award grants and enter into contracts to assist in the financing of research and demonstration projects for such innovative technologies. Entities eligible to receive grants and enter into contracts pursuant to this section include local entities, public nonprofit institutions or organizations, businesses, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and nonprofit institutions or organizations.
The Administrator shall establish criteria for applicants to be eligible to receive a grant from, or enter into a contract with, the Administrator under this section, including— demonstration of the technical feasibility of the proposal and the qualifications of the entity to carry out the proposal; demonstration of the financial capability and creditworthiness of non-Federal project sponsors; compliance with all applicable laws and receipt of all necessary local, State, and Federal permits; and quantification of the estimated water to be produced or saved by the project and the net cost of the project.
The Administrator shall establish criteria for evaluating on a competitive basis eligible applicants under this section, including the degree to which the proposed technology— proposes an innovation that has broad, fundamental implications for water savings or water supply; is economically feasible; could reduce the costs of water supply, including reductions in associated energy costs; would solve environmental concerns or provide environmental benefits; has a proof of concept, and a likely path to success within a reasonable time frame; and is aimed at the development of a specific water saving or water supply application, as opposed to basic research aimed at discovery and fundamental knowledge generation.
In carrying out research and studies authorized in this section, the Administrator may engage the necessary personnel, industrial or engineering firms, Federal laboratories, water resources research and technology institutions, other facilities, and educational institutions suitable to conduct investigations and studies authorized under this section. The Administrator may— accept technical and administrative assistance from States and public or private agencies in connection with studies, surveys, location, construction, operation, and other work relating to the desalting of water; and enter into contracts or agreements stating the purposes for which the assistance is contributed and providing for the sharing of costs between the Administrator and any such agency.
A Federal contribution in excess of 25 percent for a project carried out under this section may not be made unless the Administrator determines that the project is not feasible without such increased Federal contribution. In no case shall the Federal cost-share for a project under this section exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project. The Administrator shall prescribe appropriate procedures to implement the provisions of this section. Costs of operation, maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of facilities funded under the authority of this section shall be non-Federal responsibilities.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $35,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2016 through 2020.