Sec. 7304. Innovative water technology grant program
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In this section, the term eligible entity means— a public utility, including publicly owned treatment works and clean water systems; a unit of local government, including a municipality or a joint powers authority; a private entity, including a farmer or manufacturer; an institution of higher education; a research institution or foundation; a State; a regional organization; or a nonprofit organization. The Administrator shall carry out a grant program for purposes described in subsection
(c)to accelerate the development of innovative water technologies that address pressing water challenges. In carrying out the program under subsection (b), the Administrator shall make to eligible entities grants that— finance projects to develop, deploy, test, and improve emerging water technologies; fund entities that provide technical assistance to deploy innovative water technologies more broadly, especially— to increase adoption of innovative water technologies in— municipal drinking water and wastewater treatment systems; areas served by private wells; or water supply systems in arid areas that are experiencing, or have recently experienced, prolonged drought conditions; and in a manner that reduces ratepayer or community costs over time, including the cost of future capital investments; or support technologies that, as determined by the Administrator— improve water quality of a water source; improve the safety and security of a drinking water delivery system; minimize contamination of drinking water and drinking water sources, including contamination by lead, bacteria, chlorides, and nitrates; improve the quality and timeliness and decrease the cost of drinking water quality tests, especially technologies that can be deployed within water systems and at individual faucets to provide accurate real-time tests of water quality, especially with respect to lead, bacteria, and nitrate content; increase water supplies in arid areas that are experiencing, or have recently experienced, prolonged drought conditions; treat edge-of-field runoff to improve water quality; treat agricultural, municipal, and industrial wastewater; recycle or reuse water; manage urban storm water runoff; reduce sewer or stormwater overflows; conserve water; improve water quality by reducing salinity; mitigate air quality impacts associated with declining water resources; address treatment byproduct and brine disposal alternatives; or address urgent water quality and human health needs. In making grants under this section, the Administrator shall give priority to projects that have the potential— to provide substantial cost savings across a sector; to significantly improve human health or the environment; or to provide additional water supplies with minimal environmental impact. The Federal share of the cost of activities carried out using a grant made under this section shall be not more than 65 percent. The maximum amount of a grant provided to a project under this section shall be $5,000,000. Each year, the Administrator shall submit to Congress and make publicly available on the website of the Administrator a report that describes any advancements during the previous year in development of innovative water technologies made as a result of funding provided under this section. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each fiscal year. Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Administrator to provide grants to eligible entities under this section $10,000,000, to remain available until expended.