Detailed Summary

Water Infrastructure Financing Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act or CWA ) to: (1) authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a competitive grant program to provide technical assistance to small and medium treatment works on wastewater and stormwater approaches; (2) expand the list of projects eligible for state water pollution control revolving loan fund (commonly known as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund or CWSRF) assistance; (3) provide assistance, including loan forgiveness, for disadvantaged communities; (4) allow states to forgive repayment of a portion of a loan for alternative approaches to wastewater and stormwater controls; (5) establish a priority system for providing financial assistance from the CWSRF; (6) allow a transfer of capitalization grants between revolving loan funds for water pollution control and safe drinking water treatment; (7) extend through FY2014 the authorization of appropriations for CWSRF and to set forth the percentage of such allocation that will be allotted to each state, to U.S. territories, and to Indian tribes; and (8) revise provisions concerning sewer overflow control grants, including extending through FY2014 the authorization of appropriations for such grants.

Directs the Administrator to establish a grant program for watershed restoration through the protection or improvement of water quality.

Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to: (1) establish a priority system for providing assistance to enable small public water systems to achieve and maintain compliance with national primary drinking water regulation; (2) require the Administrator to give grants to provide technical assistance for the design, operation, construction, and maintenance of household wells and small shared well-systems that provide drinking water; (4) authorize appropriations through FY2014 for such a grant program; (4) expand the list of projects eligible for state drinking water treatment revolving loan funds (commonly known as the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund [DWSRF]); and (5) extend through FY2014 the authorization of appropriations for the DWSRF.

Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a grant program to assist community water systems in meeting the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act; (2) establish a grant program to provide assistance for lead reduction projects; (3) establish a grant program to research and develop the use of innovative and alternative technologies and approaches to improve water quality, drinking water supply, or water use efficiency and conservation; (4) establish a nationwide demonstration grant program to promote such technologies and approaches and reduce costs to municipalities incurred in complying with the CWA; (5) enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for a study of innovative, effective, and systematic approaches for the management of water supply, wastewater, and stormwater; (6) provide capitalization grants to states for agricultural watershed sustainability technology revolving funds; and (7) identify ways to improve the state revolving fund review process.

Authorizes the Administrator to implement training programs, provide technical assistance, and disseminate information regarding effective utility management strategies. Establishes within EPA the WaterSense Program to promote voluntary approaches to increase water efficiency.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 7/15/2009: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 109.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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