---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 300j–19c"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "300j–19c"
heading: "Study on intractable water systems"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/300j-19c"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter XII — Safety of Public Water Systems"
  - "Part E — General Provisions"
---

# §300j–19c. Study on intractable water systems

- (a) **Definition of intractable water system—** In this section, the term “intractable water system” means a community water system or a noncommunity water system—
  - (1) that serves fewer than 1,000 individuals;
  - (2) the [owner](/usc/42/13641.md?p=4) or operator of which—
    - (A) is unable or unwilling to provide safe and adequate [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) to those individuals;
    - (B) has abandoned or effectively abandoned the community water system or noncommunity water system, as applicable;
    - (C) has defaulted on a financial obligation relating to the community water system or noncommunity water system, as applicable; or
    - (D) fails to maintain the facilities of the community water system or noncommunity water system, as applicable, in a manner so as to prevent a potential public health hazard; and
  - (3) that is, as of October 23, 2018—
    - (A) in significant noncompliance with this chapter or any regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter; or
    - (B) listed as having a history of significant noncompliance with this subchapter pursuant to [section 300g–9(b)(1) of this title](/usc/42/300g–9.md?p=b-1).
- (b) **Study required—**
  - (1) **In general—** Not later than 2 years after October 23, 2018, the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1), in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) of Agriculture and the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) of Health and Human [Services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a), shall complete a study that—
    - (A) identifies intractable water systems; and
    - (B) describes barriers to delivery of potable water to individuals served by an intractable water system.
  - (2) **Report to Congress—** Not later than 2 years after October 23, 2018, the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall submit to Congress a report describing findings and recommendations based on the study under this subsection.

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XIV, § 1459C, as added Pub. L. 115–270, title II, § 2003, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3841.)