Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., introduced the measure Feb. 16.

Perchlorate, an ingredient in a propellant used in rockets and other military munitions, has been migrating into drinking water supplies, particularly in California.

Perchlorate can disrupt thyroid functions in adults and physical, behavioral and mental development in children.

"So far, both the Defense Department and the Environmental Protection Agency have failed to recognize the gravity of perchlorate contamination," Feinstein said. "In the meantime, communities in California have been forced to suffer the financial burden of trying to provide safe drinking water to their residents."

Pombo said perchlorate contamination of food and water is presenting a growing threat to public health.

"It is extremely important that the residents of California have access to safe, clean drinking water," Pombo said. "Californians expect and deserve high-quality drinking water, and this legislation provides valuable assistance moving forward to make it happen."

The California Perchlorate Contamination Remediation Act would authorize $50 million in grants for cleanup of perchlorate contamination from water sources, including groundwater wells. However, state and local governments must provide matching funding.

In addition, the bill would authorize $8 million for research and development of new, cheaper and more efficient perchlorate cleanup technologies.

The bill also urges the EPA to promptly set a national drinking water standard for perchlorate.