Bill Summary
The "Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act" aims to enhance the preparedness and resilience of drinking water and wastewater systems against various threats, including natural hazards and malicious acts. The legislation mandates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a program within one year of enactment that will:
1. Encourage community water systems and treatment works to participate in the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Water ISAC).
2. Provide financial support to help these systems manage the costs associated with maintaining or joining the Water ISAC.
3. Foster collaboration between the EPA and the Water ISAC to improve data collection and analysis regarding threats to water infrastructure.
4. Improve tools and resources available through the Water ISAC to help water systems better prepare for, respond to, and recover from potential threats.
To fund these initiatives, the Act authorizes $10 million for each of the fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Overall, the legislation seeks to bolster the security and resilience of essential water services across the United States.
Possible Impacts
The "Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act" outlined in the provided legislation could have various impacts on individuals and communities. Here are three examples:
1. **Enhanced Drinking Water Safety**: By establishing a program focused on increasing the preparedness and resilience of community water systems, this legislation may lead to improved safety and reliability of drinking water. Individuals and families will have greater assurance that their drinking water is protected from contamination or disruption due to natural disasters or cyber threats, reducing health risks associated with unsafe water.
2. **Financial Support for Community Water Systems**: The act includes provisions for offsetting costs incurred by community water systems to maintain or initiate membership in the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center. This financial support can help smaller or less-resourced communities improve their water infrastructure and security measures, ultimately benefiting residents by ensuring a more robust and secure water supply.
3. **Increased Community Awareness and Engagement**: The program aims to expand cooperation among the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which may lead to better communication and information sharing regarding water-related threats. This can foster greater community awareness and engagement in local water issues, encouraging residents to participate in initiatives aimed at protecting their water resources and ensuring the community's resilience against potential threats.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2344 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2344
To establish a program to increase drinking water and wastewater system
threat preparedness and resilience, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 25, 2025
Ms. Schakowsky introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a program to increase drinking water and wastewater system
threat preparedness and resilience, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Water Intelligence, Security, and
Cyber Threat Protection Act'' or the ``Water ISAC Threat Protection
Act''.
SEC. 2. PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Community water system.--The term ``community water
system'' has the meaning given the term in section 1401 of the
Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f).
(2) Natural hazard.--The term ``natural hazard'' has the
meaning given the term in section 1433(h) of the Safe Drinking
Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300i-2(h)).
(3) Treatment works.--The term ``treatment works'' has the
meaning given the term in section 212 of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1292).
(4) Water information sharing and analysis center.--The
term ``Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center'' means
the Information Sharing and Analysis Center referenced in
section 1435(d) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300i-
4(d)).
(b) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency shall develop and carry out a program--
(1) to encourage, support, and maintain the participation
of community water systems, treatment works, and other
appropriate entities in the Water Information Sharing and
Analysis Center;
(2) to offset costs incurred by community water systems and
treatment works that are necessary to maintain or initiate
membership in the Water Information Sharing and Analysis
Center;
(3) to expand the cooperation and coordination of the
Environmental Protection Agency with the Water Information
Sharing and Analysis Center with respect to incident data
collection and analysis of water sector-related threats; and
(4) to enhance the tools, resources, and materials of the
Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center for--
(A) monitoring the status of the water sector; and
(B) enhancing the preparedness of community water
systems and publicly owned treatment works to identify,
protect against, detect, respond to, and recover from
malevolent acts (within the meaning of section 1433 of
the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300i-2)) or
natural hazards.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2026 and 2027, to remain available until expended.
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