Table 1:

Policy Strategies to Leverage SNAP for Safe Home Drinking Water Access

Strategies Implemented Under Existing Federal SNAP Policy
Strategy	Description
SNAP-Ed Water Quality Education	Provide information about water quality and educate SNAP participants about the importance of testing private wells.
Supplemental State Water Benefit Using the EBT System	Provide supplemental state funding via the EBT system to SNAP participants in communities that lack access to safe drinking water.
Strategies Requiring Federal Statutory or Regulatory Changes
Adjust the Thrifty Food Plan Formula to Improve SNAP Benefit Adequacy	Adjust the Thrifty Food Plan formula to account for areas with low access to safe drinking water.
Permit the Use of SNAP Benefits for Water Filter Purchases and Container Deposits for Bulk Bottled Water	Permit SNAP benefit use for water filters and private container deposits on refillable, 5-gallon jugs used for bulk bottled water. In order to address concerns about improper use of benefits, eligible expenses could be limited to container deposits that are non-refundable for a certain period of time (3–6 months).