43 U.S.C. § 390h–1 — Appraisal investigations

(a) Purposes; recommendations: The Secretary must conduct appraisal investigations to find water reclamation and reuse opportunities. Each investigation must account for environmental effects as required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and its regulations, and must recommend whether a full feasibility study should follow. (b) Matters to be considered: Appraisal investigations by the Secretary or a non-federal project sponsor must consider, among other things: (1) all potential uses of reclaimed water, including environmental restoration, fish and wildlife, groundwater recharge, municipal, domestic, industrial, agricultural, power generation, and recreation; (2) the current state of water reclamation technology and chances to improve it; (3) ways to boost demand for reclaimed water and remove obstacles to using it, including pricing; (4) ways to coordinate and simplify local, state, and federal permitting needed to build reclamation projects; and (5) ways to identify basic research needed to safely and soundly expand how reclaimed water is used. (c) Consultation and cooperation: The Secretary must consult and work with the right state, regional, and local authorities while conducting each appraisal investigation. (d) Nonreimbursable costs: The costs of these appraisal investigations do not have to be paid back.