Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2021

This bill creates, reauthorizes, and revises several grant programs for infrastructure to treat water pollution, such as wastewater or stormwater.

Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and revises the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, which provides communities low-cost financing for water quality infrastructure projects. It also reauthorizes through FY2026 grants for

• programs to control water pollution;
• pilot projects related to watershed management of wastewater discharges (e.g., sewer overflows or stormwater discharges) during wet weather;
• alternative water source projects, including projects to reclaim stormwater; or
• measures to manage, reduce, treat or recapture stormwater, such as sewer overflows.

In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency must award grants to owners of publicly owned treatment works (i.e., sewage treatment plants) for the treatment of contaminants of emerging concern, such as perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing.