43 U.S.C. § 2402 — Rural water supply program

investigate and identify opportunities to ensure safe and adequate rural water supply projects for domestic, municipal, and industrial use in small communities and rural areas of the Reclamation States;

plan the design and construction^*, through the conduct of appraisal investigations and feasibility studies, of rural water supply projects in Reclamation States; and

oversee, as appropriate, the construction of rural water supply projects in Reclamation States that are recommended by the Secretary in a feasibility report developed pursuant to section 2405 of this title and subsequently authorized by Congress.

determining the eligibility of a rural community for assistance under the Program; and

prioritizing requests for assistance under the Program.

a rural water supply project^*—

there is an urgent and compelling need for a rural water supply project that would—

a rural water supply project helps meet applicable requirements established by law; and

a rural water supply project is cost effective.

to the extent that connection provides a reliable water supply, a connection to pre-existing infrastructure (including impoundments and conveyance channels) as part of a rural water supply project; and

notwithstanding the limitation on population under section 2401(9)(A) of this title, a town or community with a population in excess of 50,000 inhabitants in an area served by a rural water supply project if, at the discretion of the Secretary, the town or community is considered to be a critical partner in the rural supply project.