
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC300j-1]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                    CHAPTER 6A--PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
 
             SUBCHAPTER XII--SAFETY OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS
 
                       Part E--General Provisions
 
Sec. 300j-1. Research, technical assistance, information, 
        training of personnel
        

(a) Specific powers and duties of Administrator

    (1) The Administrator may conduct research, studies, and 
demonstrations relating to the causes, diagnosis, treatment, control, 
and prevention of physical and mental diseases and other impairments of 
man resulting directly or indirectly from contaminants in water, or to 
the provision of a dependably safe supply of drinking water, including--
        (A) improved methods (i) to identify and measure the existence 
    of contaminants in drinking water (including methods which may be 
    used by State and local health and water officials), and (ii) to 
    identify the source of such contaminants;
        (B) improved methods to identify and measure the health effects 
    of contaminants in drinking water;
        (C) new methods of treating raw water to prepare it for 
    drinking, so as to improve the efficiency of water treatment and to 
    remove contaminants from water;
        (D) improved methods for providing a dependably safe supply of 
    drinking water, including improvements in water purification and 
    distribution, and methods of assessing the health related hazards of 
    drinking water; and
        (E) improved methods of protecting underground water sources of 
    public water systems from contamination.

    (2) Information and research facilities.--In carrying out this 
subchapter, the Administrator is authorized to--
        (A) collect and make available information pertaining to 
    research, investigations, and demonstrations with respect to 
    providing a dependably safe supply of drinking water, together with 
    appropriate recommendations in connection with the information; and
        (B) make available research facilities of the Agency to 
    appropriate public authorities, institutions, and individuals 
    engaged in studies and research relating to this subchapter.

    (3) The Administrator shall carry out a study of polychlorinated 
biphenyl contamination of actual or potential sources of drinking water, 
contamination of such sources by other substances known or suspected to 
be harmful to public health, the effects of such contamination, and 
means of removing, treating, or otherwise controlling such 
contamination. To assist in carrying out this paragraph, the 
Administrator is authorized to make grants to public agencies and 
private nonprofit institutions.
    (4) The Administrator shall conduct a survey and study of--
        (A) disposal of waste (including residential waste) which may 
    endanger underground water which supplies, or can reasonably be 
    expected to supply, any public water systems, and
        (B) means of control of such waste disposal.

Not later than one year after December 16, 1974, he shall transmit to 
the Congress the results of such survey and study, together with such 
recommendations as he deems appropriate.
    (5) The Administrator shall carry out a study of methods of 
underground injection which do not result in the degradation of 
underground drinking water sources.
    (6) The Administrator shall carry out a study of methods of 
preventing, detecting, and dealing with surface spills of contaminants 
which may degrade underground water sources for public water systems.
    (7) The Administrator shall carry out a study of virus contamination 
of drinking water sources and means of control of such contamination.
    (8) The Administrator shall carry out a study of the nature and 
extent of the impact on underground water which supplies or can 
reasonably be expected to supply public water systems of (A) abandoned 
injection or extraction wells; (B) intensive application of pesticides 
and fertilizers in underground water recharge areas; and (C) ponds, 
pools, lagoons, pits, or other surface disposal of contaminants in 
underground water recharge areas.
    (9) The Administrator shall conduct a comprehensive study of public 
water supplies and drinking water sources to determine the nature, 
extent, sources of and means of control of contamination by chemicals or 
other substances suspected of being carcinogenic. Not later than six 
months after December 16, 1974, he shall transmit to the Congress the 
initial results of such study, together with such recommendations for 
further review and corrective action as he deems appropriate.
    (10) The Administrator shall carry out a study of the reaction of 
chlorine and humic acids and the effects of the contaminants which 
result from such reaction on public health and on the safety of drinking 
water, including any carcinogenic effect.

(b) Emergency situations

    The Administrator is authorized to provide technical assistance and 
to make grants to States, or publicly owned water systems to assist in 
responding to and alleviating any emergency situation affecting public 
water systems (including sources of water for such systems) which the 
Administrator determines to present substantial danger to the public 
health. Grants provided under this subparagraph \1\ shall be used only 
to support those actions which (i) are necessary for preventing, 
limiting or mitigating danger to the public health in such emergency 
situation and (ii) would not, in the judgment of the Administrator, be 
taken without such emergency assistance. The Administrator may carry out 
the program authorized under this subparagraph \1\ as part of, and in 
accordance with the terms and conditions of, any other program of 
assistance for environmental emergencies which the Administrator is 
authorized to carry out under any other provision of law. No limitation 
on appropriations for any such other program shall apply to amounts 
appropriated under this subparagraph.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\ So in original. Probably should be ``this subsection''.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(c) Establishment of training programs and grants for training; training 
        fees

    The Administrator shall--
        (1) provide training for, and make grants for training 
    (including postgraduate training) of (A) personnel of State agencies 
    which have primary enforcement responsibility and of agencies or 
    units of local government to which enforcement responsibilities have 
    been delegated by the State, and (B) personnel who manage or operate 
    public water systems, and
        (2) make grants for postgraduate training of individuals 
    (including grants to educational institutions for traineeships) for 
    purposes of qualifying such individuals to work as personnel 
    referred to in paragraph (1).
        (3) make grants to, and enter into contracts with, any public 
    agency, educational institution, and any other organization, in 
    accordance with procedures prescribed by the Administrator, under 
    which he may pay all or part of the costs (as may be determined by 
    the Administrator) of any project or activity which is designed--
            (A) to develop, expand, or carry out a program (which may 
        combine training education and employment) for training persons 
        for occupations involving the public health aspects of providing 
        safe drinking water;
            (B) to train inspectors and supervisory personnel to train 
        or supervise persons in occupations involving the public health 
        aspects of providing safe drinking water; or
            (C) to develop and expand the capability of programs of 
        States and municipalities to carry out the purposes of this 
        subchapter (other than by carrying out State programs of public 
        water system supervision or underground water source protection 
        (as defined in section 300j-2(c) of this title)).

Reasonable fees may be charged for training provided under paragraph 
(1)(B) to persons other than personnel of State or local agencies but 
such training shall be provided to personnel of State or local agencies 
without charge.

(d) Authorization of appropriations

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the provisions 
of this section other than subsection (a)(2)(B) \2\ of this section and 
provisions relating to research $15,000,000 for the fiscal year ending 
June 30, 1975; $25,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976; 
$35,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1977; $17,000,000 for 
each of the fiscal years 1978 and 1979; $21,405,000 for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 1980; $30,000,000 for the fiscal year ending 
September 30, 1981; and $35,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 
30, 1982. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
subsection (a)(2)(B) \2\ of this section $8,000,000 for each of the 
fiscal years 1978 through 1982. There are authorized to be appropriated 
to carry out subsection (a)(2)(B) \2\ of this section not more than the 
following amounts:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \2\ See References in Text note below.


                      Fiscal year:                            Amount

    1987................................................      $7,650,000
    1988................................................       7,650,000
    1989................................................       8,050,000
    1990................................................       8,050,000
    1991................................................       8,050,000


There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the provisions of 
this section (other than subsection (g) \3\ of this section, subsection 
(a)(2)(B) \2\ of this section, and provisions relating to research), not 
more than the following amounts:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \3\ So in original. Probably should be subsection ``(e)''.


                      Fiscal year:                            Amount

    1987................................................     $35,600,000
    1988................................................      35,600,000
    1989................................................      38,020,000
    1990................................................      38,020,000
    1991................................................      38,020,000


(e) Technical assistance

    The Administrator may provide technical assistance to small public 
water systems to enable such systems to achieve and maintain compliance 
with applicable national primary drinking water regulations. Such 
assistance may include circuit-rider and multi-State regional technical 
assistance programs, training, and preliminary engineering evaluations. 
The Administrator shall ensure that technical assistance pursuant to 
this subsection is available in each State. Each nonprofit organization 
receiving assistance under this subsection shall consult with the State 
in which the assistance is to be expended or otherwise made available 
before using assistance to undertake activities to carry out this 
subsection. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator 
to be used for such technical assistance $15,000,000 for each of the 
fiscal years 1997 through 2003. No portion of any State loan fund 
established under section 300j-12 of this title (relating to State loan 
funds) and no portion of any funds made available under this subsection 
may be used for lobbying expenses. Of the total amount appropriated 
under this subsection, 3 percent shall be used for technical assistance 
to public water systems owned or operated by Indian Tribes.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XIV, Sec. 1442, as added Pub. L. 93-523, 
Sec. 2(a), Dec. 16, 1974, 88 Stat. 1682; amended Pub. L. 95-190, 
Secs. 2(a), 3(a), (b), (e)(1), 4, 9, 10(b), 13, Nov. 16, 1977, 91 Stat. 
1393-1395, 1397-1399; Pub. L. 96-63, Sec. 1, Sept. 6, 1979, 93 Stat. 
411; Pub. L. 96-502, Sec. 5, Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2738; Pub. L. 99-
339, title I, Sec. 107, title III, Secs. 301(a), (g), 304(a), June 19, 
1986, 100 Stat. 651, 663, 665, 667; Pub. L. 104-66, title II, 
Sec. 2021(h), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 727; Pub. L. 104-182, title I, 
Secs. 121, 122, Aug. 6, 1996, 110 Stat. 1651.)

                       References in Text

    Subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section, referred to in subsec. (d), 
was redesignated subsec. (b) of this section by Pub. L. 104-182, title 
I, Sec. 121(3), Aug. 6, 1996, 110 Stat. 1651.


                               Amendments

    1996--Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 104-182, Sec. 121(4)(A), added heading 
and text of par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as 
follows: ``(2)(A) The Administrator shall, to the maximum extent 
feasible, provide technical assistance to the States and municipalities 
in the establishment and administration of public water system 
supervision programs (as defined in section 300j-2(c)(1) of this 
title).''
    Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 104-182, Sec. 121(3), redesignated 
subpar. (B) as subsec. (b) and transferred that subsec. to appear after 
subsec. (a).
    Subsec. (a)(3), (11). Pub. L. 104-182, Sec. 121(4)(B), (C), 
redesignated par. (11) as (3), transferred that par. to appear before 
par. (4), and struck out former par. (3) which provided that the 
Administrator was to conduct studies, and make periodic reports to 
Congress, on the costs of carrying out regulations prescribed under 
section 300g-1 of this title.
    Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104-182, Sec. 121(2), (3), redesignated subsec. 
(a)(2)(B) as subsec. (b), transferred that subsec. to appear after 
subsec. (a), and struck out former subsec. (b) which read as follows: 
``In carrying out this subchapter, the Administrator is authorized to--
        ``(1) collect and make available information pertaining to 
    research, investigations, and demonstrations with respect to 
    providing a dependably safe supply of drinking water together with 
    appropriate recommendations in connection therewith;
        ``(2) make available research facilities of the Agency to 
    appropriate public authorities, institutions, and individuals 
    engaged in studies and research relating to the purposes of this 
    subchapter;''.
    Subsecs. (b)(3), (c)(3). Pub. L. 104-182, Sec. 121(1), which 
directed redesignation of subsec. (b)(3) as par. (3) of subsec. (d) and 
transfer of that par. to follow par. (2) of subsec. (d), was executed by 
redesignating subsec. (b)(3) as par. (3) of subsec. (c) and transferring 
that par. to follow par. (2) of subsec. (c) to reflect the probable 
intent of Congress and the redesignation of subsec. (d) as (c) by Pub. 
L. 104-66. See 1995 Amendment note below. Moreover, subsec. (d) does not 
have any pars.
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104-182, Sec. 122, amended subsec. (e) 
generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) read as follows: ``The 
Administrator is authorized to provide technical assistance to small 
public water systems to enable such systems to achieve and maintain 
compliance with national drinking water regulations. Such assistance may 
include `circuit-rider' programs, training, and preliminary engineering 
studies. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
subsection $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1987 through 1991. 
Not less than the greater of--
        ``(1) 3 percent of the amounts appropriated under this 
    subsection, or
        ``(2) $280,000
shall be utilized for technical assistance to public water systems owned 
or operated by Indian tribes.''
    1995--Subsecs. (c) to (g). Pub. L. 104-66 redesignated subsecs. (d), 
(f), and (g) as (c), (d), and (e), respectively, and struck out former 
subsec. (c) which read as follows: ``Not later than eighteen months 
after November 16, 1977, the Administrator shall submit a report to 
Congress on the present and projected future availability of an adequate 
and dependable supply of safe drinking water to meet present and 
projected future need. Such report shall include an analysis of the 
future demand for drinking water and other competing uses of water, the 
availability and use of methods to conserve water or reduce demand, the 
adequacy of present measures to assure adequate and dependable supplies 
of safe drinking water, and the problems (financial, legal, or other) 
which need to be resolved in order to assure the availability of such 
supplies for the future. Existing information and data complied by the 
National Water Commission and others shall be utilized to the extent 
possible.''
    1986--Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99-339, Sec. 304(a), struck out subsec. 
(e) which authorized the Administrator to make grants to public water 
systems which are required, under State or local law, to meet standards 
relating to drinking turbidity which are more stringent than the 
standards in effect under this subchapter.
    Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99-339, Sec. 301(a), authorized appropriations 
to carry out subsec. (a)(2)(B) of this section for fiscal years 1987 to 
1991 and to carry out provisions of this section other than subsecs. 
(a)(2)(B) and (g) and provisions relating to research for fiscal years 
1987 to 1991.
    Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 99-339, Sec. 301(g), authorized appropriations 
to carry out this subsection of $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
1987 through 1991 and specified amount to be utilized for public water 
systems owned or operated by Indian tribes.
    Pub. L. 99-339, Sec. 107 added subsec. (g).
    1980--Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 96-502 added subsec. (e) and 
redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f).
    1979--Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 96-63 authorized appropriations of 
$21,405,000 for fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1980, $30,000,000 for 
fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1981, and $35,000,000 for fiscal year 
ending Sept. 30, 1982 for purposes other than those of subsec. (a)(2)(B) 
of this section and for purposes of subsec. (a)(2)(B) of this section, 
$8,000,000 for fiscal years 1980 through 1982.
    1977--Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 95-190, Secs. 9, 13, designated 
existing provisions as subpar. (A), added subpar. (B) and, in subpar. 
(B) as added, substituted provisions authorizing Administrator to make 
grants and provide technical assistance for any emergency situation 
affecting public water systems and criteria for such grants and 
assistance for provisions authorizing Administrator to make grants and 
provide technical assistance for any emergency situation respecting 
drinking water and criteria for determination of such situations.
    Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 95-190, Sec. 3(a), designated existing 
provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B).
    Subsec. (a)(10), (11). Pub. L. 95-190, Sec. 3(e)(1), added pars. 
(10) and (11).
    Subsec. (b)(3)(C). Pub. L. 95-190, Sec. 10(b), substituted ``300j-
2(c)'' for ``300j-2(d)''.
    Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 95-190, Secs. 3(b), 4, added subsecs. (c) 
and (d). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (e).
    Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 95-190, Secs. 2(a), 3(b), redesignated former 
subsec. (c) as (e) and inserted provisions authorizing appropriations 
for fiscal years 1978 and 1979, and provisions relating to 
appropriations for subsec. (a)(2)(B) of this section and for research.


                       Scientific Research Review

    Section 202 of Pub. L. 104-182 provided that:
    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall--
        ``(1) develop a strategic plan for drinking water research 
    activities throughout the Environmental Protection Agency (in this 
    section referred to as the `Agency');
        ``(2) integrate that strategic plan into ongoing Agency planning 
    activities; and
        ``(3) review all Agency drinking water research to ensure the 
    research--
            ``(A) is of high quality; and
            ``(B) does not duplicate any other research being conducted 
        by the Agency.
    ``(b) Plan.--The Administrator shall transmit the plan to the 
Committees on Commerce and Science of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the plan 
shall be made available to the public.''


                National Center for Ground Water Research

    Section 203 of Pub. L. 104-182 provided that: ``The Administrator of 
the Environmental Protection Agency, acting through the Robert S. Kerr 
Environmental Research Laboratory, is authorized to reestablish a 
partnership between the Laboratory and the National Center for Ground 
Water Research, a university consortium, to conduct research, training, 
and technology transfer for ground water quality protection and 
restoration. No funds are authorized by this section.''


                  Comparative Health Effects Assessment

    Section 304(b) of Pub. L. 99-339 provided that: ``The Administrator 
of the Environmental Protection Agency shall conduct a comparative 
health effects assessment, using available data, to compare the public 
health effects (both positive and negative) associated with water 
treatment chemicals and their byproducts to the public health effects 
associated with contaminants found in public water supplies. Not later 
than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [June 19, 
1986], the Administrator shall submit a report to the Congress setting 
forth the results of such assessment.''

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 300g-1, 300j-3b, 300j-12 of 
this title.
