Status:
No progress. Last legislative action: Referred to the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment on August 6, 2025.
Date of Status:
Last Verified July 14, 2026.
Purpose:
H.R. 4879 amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to expand eligibility for the Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Grant (EICWAG) Program. It increases the population threshold for eligible communities from 10,000 to 35,000 residents.
The bill also expands eligible uses to include potable water, wastewater, storm drainage, and solid waste infrastructure, and provides a six-month Clean Water Act NPDES permit exemption for portable water treatment systems deployed during declared emergencies.
Impact on Water Industry:
The bill would allow more rural and mid-sized communities to qualify for emergency water assistance. It may improve response times by enabling faster deployment of portable treatment systems during disasters. Emergency water utilities could benefit from reduced permitting delays, but overall impact will depend on future appropriations and program implementation.
Funding:
No new funding is provided. The bill relies on existing USDA Rural Development accounts and future congressional appropriations for program support.
