; (4) water systems in many persistent poverty counties are aging, unsafe, or otherwise in urgent need of new investment; and (5) with respect to new investments in existing water systems authorized by this Act (including the amendments made by this Act) and the Safe Drinking Water Act, discretionary Federal decision-making should prioritize the needs of persistent poverty counties to the extent reconcilable with applicable laws and regulations, the need to make maximally effective use of taxpayer funds, and the public interest generally.