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Ruiz Advances Amendment to Improve Clean Drinking Water Access for Underserved Communities

June 23, 2021

House Energy and Commerce Committee passes Ruiz’s amendment that could benefit Eastern Coachella Valley communities

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed an amendment by Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) that could make over $50 million in additional funding available nationally to improve clean water access for underserved communities like those in the Eastern Coachella Valley. In an Energy and Commerce Committee markup of H.R. 3291, the Assistance, Quality, and Affordability (AQUA) Act of 2021, Ruiz successfully amended the bill to increase the amount of money that states are able to provide to disadvantaged communities to upgrade their water systems.

"This amendment is all about equity and ensuring that every American has the ability to turn on their faucet and access clean, safe drinking water," Dr. Ruiz said in the hearing. "This amendment would make roughly $6 million extra dollars in California available to subsidize drinking water improvements in under-resourced communities. That money could be the difference for several ongoing projects to bring clean drinking water to the Eastern Coachella Valley – the difference between clean water and a public health hazard."

You can watch the video of Dr. Ruiz's remarks in today's markup here.

BACKGROUND

H.R. 3291, the Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2021, amends the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to reauthorize and increase funding for the drinking water State Revolving Fund (SRF).

Under SDWA, the federal government funds the SRF, which gives states the ability to provide loans and financing for priority drinking water projects. Current law allows states to use up to 35% of those funds to provide funding in the form of grants, or other favorable financing mechanisms, rather than loans.

Ruiz's amendment, which passed the Committee in today's markup, would bring the Safe Drinking Water Act in line with the Biden Administration's "Justice40" Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the benefits of federal investments to underserved communities such as those in the Eastern Coachella Valley.

California's 36th Congressional District has multiple projects listed on the State of California's comprehensive list of projects under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan. Among the projects seeking funding is the St. Anthony and Valley View Mobile Home Park Water Consolidation Project.

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