Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act

This bill establishes a Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program to help low-income households pay for drinking water and wastewater services. The program is initially run by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the EPA Administrator, and later transferred to the EPA.

Sec. 2, Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program: The bill defines key terms, including low-income household as one receiving certain federal assistance or with income up to 150% of the poverty level or 60% of state or area median income. The Secretary must establish a program to award grants to eligible states and Indian tribes, based on a formula using the percentage of low-income households or those spending over 30% of income on housing, with up to 3% reserved for tribes. These grants help owners of public water systems or treatment works assist low-income households with arrearages and rates.

The Secretary also provides grants to qualified nonprofit organizations to help rural, underserved, or tribal areas access the program. Eligible entities and nonprofits must apply as required. Grant funds cannot replace existing assistance programs but can supplement them. The Secretary offers technical assistance for data sharing to streamline eligibility.

On the date the final report under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is submitted to Congress, the program transfers to the EPA Administrator, who then carries out all functions. The Secretary continues administering grants awarded before the transfer. Unobligated balances also transfer to the EPA. The bill authorizes $1,100,000,000 for this section.