Moolenaar introduces bill to provide water infrastructure, nutrition assistance resources to Flint, rural communities

U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) introduced legislation on Friday that would provide Flint, Mich., and communities across the country with resources for water infrastructure improvement and nutrition assistance.

The Safe Water and Nutritional Access Act, H.R. 5013, would provide millions of dollars for emergency water infrastructure grants to assist the construction of new water sources, treatment facilities and waterline extensions.

Flint would be eligible for $20 million in Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Grants under the bill, which would also set aside $30 million in grant assistance for rural communities across America.

Additionally, the bill would make Flint eligible for up to $5 million in financing to bring sources of nutritious foods to underserved areas of the city, and $5 million in loans that can be used to distribute food that is locally or regionally sourced.

“I have visited Flint and met with families, elected officials, and researchers in the community,” Moolenaar said. “I have listened to them about the issues they are facing, and as a member of the Agriculture Committee, I worked on nutrition. It’s hard to raise a family without safe drinking water and harder still when you have to travel a long distance to get healthy food for your kids. This legislation makes Flint eligible for $10 million in financing that will help with food access in underserved areas of the community.”

The bill would also provide $5 million in Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants to rural communities, and $5 million in funding to help rural wastewater facilities make operational improvements and detect leaks.

“Rural communities in my district and across Michigan also have water safety concerns and this legislation eliminates barriers to federal grants for water infrastructure financing and technical assistance,” Moolenaar said. “This legislation is a step forward that I hope will bring greater nutrition access to Flint and safer drinking water to all our communities.”