H.R. 9690 — Water Emergency and Technical Assistance Act

This section expands the Administrator’s authority to respond to emergency situations involving drinking water contamination by permitting action when measures cannot be taken or are not economically feasible for ratepayers. It also increases the annual authorization of appropriations for these activities to $50 million for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 (from $35 million for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026).

This section authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to provide technical assistance and grants to states and publicly owned treatment works to respond to emergencies affecting treatment facilities, including cybersecurity events, that present substantial danger to public health such as sewer overflows. Grants may fund only activities necessary to prevent or mitigate such dangers that would otherwise be infeasible for ratepayers. The section authorizes $50 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.