§1302d. Grants for construction and refurbishing of individual household decentralized wastewater systems for individuals with low or moderate income
(a) Definition of eligible individual
In this section, the term "eligible individual" means a member of a low-income or moderate-income household, the members of which have a combined income (for the most recent 12-month period for which information is available) equal to not more than 50 percent of the median nonmetropolitan household income for the State or territory in which the household is located, according to the most recent decennial census.
(b) Grant program
(1) In general
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator shall establish a program under which the Administrator shall provide grants to private nonprofit organizations for the purpose of improving general welfare by providing assistance to eligible individuals-
(A) for the construction, repair, or replacement of an individual household decentralized wastewater treatment system; or
(B) for the installation of a larger decentralized wastewater system designed to provide treatment for 2 or more households in which eligible individuals reside, if-
(i) site conditions at the households are unsuitable for the installation of an individually owned decentralized wastewater system;
(ii) multiple examples of unsuitable site conditions exist in close geographic proximity to each other; and
(iii) a larger decentralized wastewater system could be cost-effectively installed.
(2) Application
To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a private nonprofit organization shall submit to the Administrator an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Administrator determines to be appropriate.
(3) Priority
In awarding grants under this subsection, the Administrator shall give priority to applicants that have substantial expertise and experience in promoting the safe and effective use of individual household decentralized wastewater systems.
(4) Administrative expenses
A private nonprofit organization may use amounts provided under this subsection to pay the administrative expenses associated with the provision of the services described in paragraph (1), as the Administrator determines to be appropriate.
(c) Grants
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), a private nonprofit organization shall use a grant provided under subsection (b) for the services described in paragraph (1) of that subsection.
(2) Application
To be eligible to receive the services described in subsection (b)(1), an eligible individual shall submit to the private nonprofit organization serving the area in which the individual household decentralized wastewater system of the eligible individuals is, or is proposed to be, located an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the private nonprofit organization determines to be appropriate.
(3) Priority
In awarding grants under this subsection, a private nonprofit organization shall give priority to any eligible individual who does not have access to a sanitary sewage disposal system.
(d) Report
Not later than 2 years after November 15, 2021, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report describing the recipients of grants under the program under this section and the results of the program under this section.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
(1) In general
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
(2) Limitation on use of funds
Of the amounts made available for grants under paragraph (1), not more than 2 percent may be used to pay the administrative costs of the Administrator.
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title II, §226, as added