42 U.S.C. § 300j–16 — Assistance to colonias

(a) Definitions. A "border State" means Arizona, California, New Mexico, or Texas. An "eligible community" is a low-income community with economic hardship that is commonly called a colonia, sits along the U.S.-Mexico border (usually in an unincorporated area), and lacks a safe drinking water supply or adequate facilities to provide one. (b) Grants to alleviate health risks. The EPA Administrator and heads of other federal agencies can award grants to a border state. The state uses the money to help eligible communities meet national drinking water rules or otherwise significantly advance the health-protection goals of this subchapter. (c) Use of funds. Each grant must go to one or more eligible communities whose residents face a significant health risk — as decided by the Administrator or the agency giving the grant — because they lack an adequate, affordable drinking water system. (d) Cost sharing. A grant under this section can't cover more than 50 percent of the project's cost. (e) Authorization of appropriations. Congress could spend $25,000,000 a year on this program for fiscal years 1997 through 1999.