H.R. 7397: Puerto Rico Water Infrastructure Resilience Act

This bill, known as the Puerto Rico Water Infrastructure Resilience Act, focuses on assessing and improving the water and wastewater infrastructure in Puerto Rico. Here are the main points of the bill:

Assessment of Water Infrastructure Needs

The Secretary of the Army is required to conduct a comprehensive assessment of Puerto Rico’s water and wastewater infrastructure within 180 days of the bill's enactment. This assessment will involve consultation with:

• The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority
• Other relevant local and federal agencies

Report Submission

After completing the assessment, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress that includes:

• A description of the current condition and vulnerabilities of water infrastructure in Puerto Rico.
• The status of ongoing and planned projects authorized under a previous federal law, including any delays or gaps in these projects.
• A detailed account of the modernization needs for enhancing the resilience of water infrastructure against future challenges, such as natural disasters, droughts, and system failures.
• Recommendations for better coordination between federal and local agencies to expedite project delivery in Puerto Rico.

Context of the Bill

The bill aims to address the pressing issues of water infrastructure in Puerto Rico, which has faced significant challenges, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters. The goal is to ensure that the water systems are robust and can handle future environmental challenges effectively.

Definition of Key Terms

In this bill, the term "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of the Army, who will act through the Corps of Engineers for the proposed assessments and reporting.

Relevant Companies

• AYI (Acuity Brands, Inc.) - As a provider of lighting and building management solutions, they may be involved in projects related to modernizing infrastructure that includes smart water management systems.
• GE (General Electric Company) - GE’s water technology segment could be impacted as they provide solutions for water treatment and management, which may be relevant in infrastructure modernization projects in Puerto Rico.
• PH (Parker-Hannifin Corporation) - With a focus on motion and control technologies, they may see opportunities related to hydraulic and filtration systems used in water infrastructure projects.