Bill Overview
Title: Healthy H2O Act
Description: This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to establish a clean drinking water program to provide grants for water quality testing and for the purchase, installation, and maintenance of point-of use and point-of-entry water filtration systems that remove or significantly reduce contaminants in drinking water. Grants may be given to rural end users (such as homeowners), nonprofit organizations, and government entities.
Sponsors: Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]
Target Audience
Population: People living in rural areas globally
Estimated Size: 60000000
- Rural areas often face challenges with water quality and may have limited resources for filtration systems.
- The bill provides grants to rural homeowners, meaning individuals living in rural areas will directly benefit.
- Nonprofit organizations may use the grants to provide services to individuals or communities that need improved water infrastructure.
- Government entities in rural areas will use the grants to enhance the quality of drinking water for their residents.
- Globally, the number of people living in rural areas is significant, especially in developing countries where water contamination is a major issue.
Reasoning
- The policy aims at rural areas, which often have more significant water quality issues due to less modern infrastructure compared to urban settings.
- The American rural population targeted is approximately 60 million, but the policy budget is limited, so not everyone will immediately receive grants.
- Grants for water filtration systems will likely benefit homeowners who use well water or live in areas where municipal systems are underfunded.
- Nonprofit organizations and government entities can use these grants to set up community-wide systems, which might provide indirect benefits to individuals.
- Some rural areas rich in natural water resources may feel less impact than others with poor quality water.
Simulated Interviews
small-scale farmer (rural Kentucky)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could help me afford better filtration for my well water.
- I worry about contaminants affecting my family's health, but filtration systems are expensive.
- Receiving a grant would lower this worry significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
retired (rural Montana)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It would be great if our water cooperative can apply for these grants.
- I can't afford improvements on my own water filtration system.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
school teacher (rural New Mexico)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could help our school finally fix its water problems.
- It's not fair that kids have to learn in a building where water may not be safe.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
software engineer (urban Ohio)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see this policy affecting me since I have access to good municipal water.
- It seems though that it could be good for those who need it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
nonprofit director (rural West Virginia)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our organization could apply for these grants and make a big difference.
- The policy aligns with our mission.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
factory worker (rural Mississippi)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could be a lifeline for our town if the city applies for a grant.
- I've had stomach issues and suspect it might be the water.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
freelance writer (rural Nebraska)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I could use the grant to improve my water filtration if I qualify.
- It would really help reduce monthly outlays for bottled water.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
retired teacher (rural Arkansas)
Age: 73 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could help our town afford necessary upgrades to our water system.
- I am worried about health issues given the water quality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
stay-at-home mom (rural Alabama)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It would be wonderful for us to have clean, affordable drinking water.
- I'm always worried about what my kids are drinking.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
municipal worker (rural Texas)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is exactly the kind of support our town has been waiting for.
- If we secure a grant, it will impact every resident's quality of life positively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 3: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 5: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 10: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 100: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Key Considerations
- The reach and implementation efficiency of the grant program will significantly influence costs.
- Technological advancements might reduce filtration system costs over time, affecting future budgetary needs.
- Public health savings from fewer waterborne diseases could be substantial but are hard to quantify precisely.
- The execution timeline and grant distribution schedule critically affect annual budgetary allocations.