---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 300j–1a"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "300j–1a"
heading: "Innovative water technology grant program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/300j-1a"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter XII — Safety of Public Water Systems"
  - "Part E — General Provisions"
---

# §300j–1a. Innovative water technology grant program

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Administrator—** The term “[Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1)” means the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) of the Environmental Protection [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1).
  - (2) **Eligible entity—** The term “eligible entity” means—
    - (A) a public water system (as defined under [section 300f(4) of this title](/usc/42/300f.md?p=4));
    - (B) an [institution of higher education](/usc/42/11851.md?p=7);
    - (C) a research institution or foundation;
    - (D) a regional water organization; or
    - (E) a [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organization described in [section 300j–1(e)(8) of this title](/usc/42/300j–1.md?p=e-8).
- (b) **Grant program authorized—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall carry out a grant [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) for the purpose of accelerating the development and deployment of innovative water technologies that address pressing drinking water supply, quality, [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11), or security challenges of public water systems, areas served by private wells, or source waters.
- (c) **Grants—** In carrying out the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under [subsection (b)](#b), the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall make grants to eligible entities—
  - (1) to develop, test, and deploy innovative water technologies; or
  - (2) to provide technical assistance to deploy demonstrated innovative water technologies.
- (d) **Selection criteria—** In making grants under this section, the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall—
  - (1) award grants through a competitive process to eligible entities the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) determines are best able to carry out the purpose of the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4); and
  - (2) give priority to [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) that have the potential—
    - (A) to reduce ratepayer or community costs or costs of future capital investments;
    - (B) to significantly improve human health or the environment; or
    - (C) to provide additional drinking water supplies with minimal environmental impact.
- (e) **Cost-sharing—** The Federal share of the cost of activities carried out using a grant under this section shall be not more than 65 percent.
- (f) **Limitation—** The maximum amount of a grant under this section shall be $5,000,000.
- (g) **Report—** Each year, the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall submit to Congress and make publicly available on the website of the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) a report that describes any advancements during the previous year in development of innovative water technologies made as a result of funding provided under this section.
- (h) **Partnerships—** Grants awarded under this [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) may include [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) that are carried out by an eligible entity in cooperation with a private entity, including a farmer, farmer cooperative, or [manufacturer](/usc/42/300aa–33.md?p=3) of water technologies.
- (i) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 115–270, title II, § 2007, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3845.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, and not as part of the Public Health Service Act which comprises this chapter.