Clean Drinking Water for Rural Communities Act of 2023
Impact
The proposed changes in SB2697 will potentially expand the availability of financial assistance to a broader range of rural areas, enabling a more extensive number of communities to access federal funds for necessary infrastructural improvements. This is particularly critical as many rural areas face challenges meeting drinking water standards set by federal and state regulations. By redefining 'rural', the bill aims to alleviate some of the barriers that smaller communities encounter in accessing these funds.
Summary
SB2697, titled the 'Clean Drinking Water for Rural Communities Act of 2023', seeks to amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. The primary focus of the bill is to modify the definitions of 'rural' and 'rural area' for the purpose of granting loans and grants. This change aims to address problems with compliance concerning certain drinking water standards in rural communities. Specifically, it stipulates that a 'rural' area must now refer to cities, towns, or unincorporated areas with a population not exceeding 20,000 inhabitants.
Contention
Discussions surrounding SB2697 may include points of contention related to the practicality of the new definitions and the implications for various communities. Some stakeholders may argue that the new population thresholds appropriately reflect the needs of rural areas, while others might contend that they could potentially exclude smaller communities that still require assistance. Furthermore, the overall efficacy of the grants and loans in remedying compliance issues will likely be scrutinized, along with how these changes will be implemented at the local level.