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HR 3286 117th Congress House

Emergency OASIS Act

Official title: To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to require drinking water distribution systems to be flushed under certain circumstances, and for other purposes.

Introduced: May 17, 2021 Introduced by: Ruiz, Raul Democratic · California See on congress.gov
Environmental Protection Administrative law and regulatory proceduresEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental health
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Environmental regulatory proceduresHazardous wastes and toxic substancesMetalsPublic utilities and utility ratesWater qualityWater use and supply
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 18, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.
May 17, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
May 17, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Latest action May 18, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Emergency Order Assurance, Safety, and Inspection of water Systems Act or the Emergency OASIS Act

This bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue regulations that require community water systems to flush their drinking water distribution systems of contaminants under certain circumstances; it also expands the EPA's emergency powers to address metalloid contaminants in community water systems when state and local authorities have not acted to protect the health of persons in those communities.

Specifically, the EPA must issue regulations to require each community water system to flush its distribution system if any contaminant has exceeded the applicable maximum contaminant level for longer than six months or if the drinking water has stood motionless in the system for longer than six months.

The EPA may take steps under its emergency powers to test community water systems for metalloid contaminants in drinking water and provide alternative water supplies. Further, the EPA may require the owner of the water system to pay an amount that is at least twice the cost of providing such alternative water supplies.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 8831 Reintroduced Bill Emergency OASIS Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3286: Emergency OASIS Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3286/
MLA
"H.R. 3286: Emergency OASIS Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3286/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3286, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3286/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3286: Emergency OASIS Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-3286/)
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