§ 300j–3d — Water Supply Cost Savings

(a) The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall— (1) develop a technology clearinghouse for information on the cost-effectiveness of innovative and alternative drinking water delivery systems, including wells and well systems; and (2) disseminate such information to the public and to communities and not-for-profit organizations seeking Federal funding for drinking water delivery systems serving 500 or fewer persons. (b) In any application for a grant or loan for the purpose of construction, replacement, or rehabilitation of a drinking water delivery system serving 500 or fewer persons, the funding for which would come from the Federal Government (either directly or through a State), a unit of local government or not-for-profit organization shall self-certify that the unit of local government or organization has considered, as an alternative drinking water supply, drinking water delivery systems sourced by publicly owned— (1) individual wells; (2) shared wells; and (3) community wells. (c) Not later than 3 years after December 16, 2016, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report that describes— (1) the use of innovative and alternative drinking water delivery systems described in this section; (2) the range of cost savings for communities using innovative and alternative drinking water delivery systems described in this section; and (3) the use of drinking water technical assistance programs operated by the Administrator and the Secretary of Agriculture.