[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 114-45
114th Congress

An Act


 
To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide for the assessment and
management of the risk of algal toxins in drinking water, 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 ``Drinking Water Protection Act''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT.

(a) Amendment.--Part E of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C.
300j et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 1459. <>  ALGAL TOXIN RISK
ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT.

``(a) Strategic Plan.--
``(1) <>
Development.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment
of this section, the Administrator shall develop and submit to
Congress a strategic plan for assessing and managing risks
associated with algal toxins in drinking water provided by
public water systems. The strategic plan shall include steps and
timelines to--
``(A) evaluate the risk to human health from
drinking water provided by public water systems
contaminated with algal toxins;
``(B) establish, publish, and update a comprehensive
list of algal toxins which the Administrator determines
may have an adverse effect on human health when present
in drinking water provided by public water systems,
taking into account likely exposure levels;
``(C) summarize--
``(i) the known adverse human health effects
of algal toxins included on the list published
under subparagraph (B) when present in drinking
water provided by public water systems; and
``(ii) factors that cause toxin-producing
cyanobacteria and algae to proliferate and express
toxins;
``(D) with respect to algal toxins included on the
list published under subparagraph (B), determine whether
to--
``(i) publish health advisories pursuant to
section 1412(b)(1)(F) for such algal toxins in
drinking water provided by public water systems;

[[Page 474]]

``(ii) establish guidance regarding feasible
analytical methods to quantify the presence of
algal toxins; and
``(iii) establish guidance regarding the
frequency of monitoring necessary to determine if
such algal toxins are present in drinking water
provided by public water systems;
``(E) recommend feasible treatment options,
including procedures, equipment, and source water
protection practices, to mitigate any adverse public
health effects of algal toxins included on the list
published under subparagraph (B); and
``(F) enter into cooperative agreements with, and
provide technical assistance to, affected States and
public water systems, as identified by the
Administrator, for the purpose of managing risks
associated with algal toxins included on the list
published under subparagraph (B).
``(2) Updates.--The Administrator shall, as appropriate,
update and submit to Congress the strategic plan developed under
paragraph (1).

``(b) <>  Information Coordination.--
In carrying out this section the Administrator shall--
``(1) identify gaps in the Agency's understanding of algal
toxins, including--
``(A) the human health effects of algal toxins
included on the list published under subsection
(a)(1)(B); and
``(B) methods and means of testing and monitoring
for the presence of harmful algal toxins in source water
of, or drinking water provided by, public water systems;
``(2) as appropriate, consult with--
``(A) other Federal agencies that--
``(i) examine or analyze cyanobacteria or
algal toxins; or
``(ii) address public health concerns related
to harmful algal blooms;
``(B) States;
``(C) operators of public water systems;
``(D) multinational agencies;
``(E) foreign governments;
``(F) research and academic institutions; and
``(G) companies that provide relevant drinking water
treatment options; and
``(3) assemble and publish information from each Federal
agency that has--
``(A) examined or analyzed cyanobacteria or algal
toxins; or
``(B) addressed public health concerns related to
harmful algal blooms.

``(c) Use of Science.--The Administrator shall carry out this
section in accordance with the requirements described in section
1412(b)(3)(A), as applicable.
``(d) Feasible.--For purposes of this section, the term `feasible'
has the meaning given such term in section 1412(b)(4)(D).''.
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall prepare and submit to Congress a report that includes--

[[Page 475]]

(1) an inventory of funds--
(A) expended by the United States, for each of
fiscal years 2010 through 2014, to examine or analyze
toxin-producing cyanobacteria and algae or address
public health concerns related to harmful algal blooms;
and
(B) that includes the specific purpose for which the
funds were made available, the law under which the funds
were authorized, and the Federal agency that received or
spent the funds; and
(2) recommended steps to reduce any duplication, and improve
interagency coordination, of such expenditures.

Approved August 7, 2015.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 212:
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HOUSE REPORTS: No. 114-26 (Comm. on Energy and Commerce).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 161 (2015):
Feb. 24, considered and passed House.
Aug. 5, considered and passed Senate.