This bill focuses on reviewing how the government assists communities with clean water programs. It aims to improve support for areas that need help accessing clean water resources.
Water Resources Technical Assistance Review Act This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the technical assistance authority, initiatives, and programs of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that are related to clean water infrastructure. Among other things, the review must includea description of the covered technical assistance available to states, tribes, local governments, and nongovernmental organizations, including activities and actions carried out during the previous five years; a comprehensive review of how the EPA Water Technical Assistance (Water TA) initiative identifies, selects, and partners with technical assistance providers to support communities; andan assessment of the needs of economically distressed communities eligible to receive assistance under an EPA clean water infrastructure program that are not addressed through covered technical assistance. GAO must submit a report to Congress on the review, which must include any recommendations to improve covered technical assistance. Further, the EPA must submit a compliance plan to Congress annually for five years on any actions taken by the EPA to comply with GAO's recommendations.