Puerto Rico recibirá $28.6 millones para reemplazar tuberías de plomo para lograr agua potable segura
Puerto Rico recibirá $28.6 millones para reemplazar tuberías de plomo para lograr agua potable segura
La EPA anuncia la última ronda de financiamiento del compromiso del presidente Biden para reemplazar todas las tuberías de plomo del país, protegiendo así la salud pública y ayudando a abastecer agua potable segura
Contacto: Iris M. Crawford (Crawford.iris@epa.gov) 347-908-3374
NUEVA YORK – Hoy, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció la asignación de $28.6 millones de la agenda Invertir en Estados Unidos del presidente Biden para ayudar a Puerto Rico a identificar y reemplazar las tuberías de plomo para prevenir la exposición al plomo en el agua potable. El plomo puede causar una serie de graves efectos en la salud, incluido el daño irreversible al desarrollo cerebral de los niños. Para proteger a los niños y las familias, el presidente Biden se ha comprometido a reemplazar todas las tuberías de plomo del país. El anuncio de hoy, financiado por la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura y disponible a través del exitoso Fondo Rotatorio Estatal de Agua Potable de la EPA (DWSRF), da otro paso importante para avanzar en este trabajo y la justicia ambiental y refuerza el Plan de Acción de Tuberías y Pinturas de Plomo de la Administración y la Iniciativa Eliminar el Plomo de la EPA.
Trabajando en colaboración, la EPA y los Fondos Rotatorios Estatales están promoviendo la Iniciativa Justice40 del Presidente, ya que la exposición al plomo afecta de manera desproporcionada a las comunidades desventajadas y a las familias de bajos ingresos. Se espera que los fondos totales anunciados a través de este programa hasta la fecha reemplacen hasta 1.7 millones de tuberías de plomo en todo el país, asegurando agua potable limpia para innumerables familias.
“La ciencia lo ha dejado en claro, no existe un nivel seguro de exposición al plomo, y la principal fuente de exposición dañina en el agua potable es a través de las tuberías de plomo”, comentó el administrador de la EPA, Michael S. Regan. “El presidente Biden entiende que es fundamental identificar y eliminar las tuberías de plomo lo más rápido posible, y ha asegurado recursos significativos para que los estados y territorios aceleren la eliminación permanente de las peligrosas tuberías de plomo de una vez por todas”.
“Todas las familias puertorriqueñas merecen agua potable segura cuando abren el grifo y esta importante inyección de fondos reforzará aún más el trabajo para lograr esa meta”, indicó la administradora regional de la EPA, Lisa F. García. “Durante demasiado tiempo, la necesidad urgente de mejorar nuestros sistemas de agua potable ha superado con creces los fondos disponibles. Este financiamiento crucial de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura está ayudando a cerrar esa brecha”.
“La exposición continua al plomo en el agua potable es un grave riesgo para la salud de las personas, especialmente de los niños. Me complace que Puerto Rico recibirá $28.6 millones en fondos para el reemplazo de tuberías de servicio de agua con plomo conforme a la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura. Este financiamiento a través del Fondo Rotatorio Estatal (SRF) nos ayuda a avanzar en abordar el problema apremiante de la infraestructura envejecida y salvaguardar la salud de nuestros residentes”, señaló la representante Jenniffer González-Colón. “Al reemplazar estas tuberías obsoletas, estamos mejorando la calidad del agua y protegiendo el bienestar de nuestras comunidades para las generaciones venideras. Estoy orgullosa de haber sido parte del esfuerzo para elaborar y aprobar la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura como miembro del Comité de Transporte e Infraestructura de la Cámara de Representantes. A medida que avanzamos, sigo dedicada a abogar por inversiones adicionales en la infraestructura de Puerto Rico para abordar los desafíos de larga data y construir un futuro más resiliente para todos”.
La Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura invierte la cifra histórica de $15 mil millones para identificar y reemplazar las tuberías de servicio de plomo. La ley exige que el 49% de los fondos proporcionados a través de la Financiación Suplementaria General del Fondo Rotatorio Estatal para Agua Potable (DWSRF) y la Financiación de Reemplazo de la Línea de Servicio Principal de la DWSRF se proporcionen como subvenciones y préstamos condonables a las comunidades desventajadas, una inversión crucial para las comunidades en las que no se ha invertido lo suficiente durante demasiado tiempo. La EPA proyecta un total nacional de 9 millones de tuberías de servicios de plomo en todo el país, según los datos recopilados de la 7ª Encuesta y Evaluación de Necesidades de Infraestructura de Agua Potable. Los fondos anunciados hoy se proporcionarán específicamente para la identificación y reemplazo de tuberías de servicio de plomo y ayudarán a todos los estados y territorios a financiar proyectos para eliminar las tuberías de plomo y reducir la exposición al plomo del agua potable. Esta fórmula específica de la Línea de Servicio de Plomo permite a los estados recibir asistencia financiera acorde con sus necesidades lo antes posible, promoviendo la protección de la salud pública en todo el país. Para garantizar que los fondos se utilicen para actividades relacionadas con las tuberías de servicio de plomo, las asignaciones de LSLR se basan en la necesidad, lo que significa que los estados con más tuberías de servicio de plomo proyectadas reciben proporcionalmente más.
Junto con el financiamiento anunciado hoy, la EPA también publica un memorándum que aclara la manera en que los estados pueden usar este y otros fondos para reducir más eficazmente la exposición al plomo en el agua potable. Además, la EPA ha desarrollado nuevos documentos de divulgación para ayudar a los sistemas de agua a educar a sus clientes sobre los problemas del agua potable, los impactos en la salud de la exposición al plomo, la propiedad de las tuberías de servicio y cómo los clientes pueden apoyar la identificación de posibles tuberías de servicio de plomo en sus hogares.
La ambiciosa iniciativa de la Administración Biden-Harris para eliminar las tuberías de plomo ya ha dado resultados significativos para las familias de todo el país. Los últimos fondos de hoy asegurarán que más familias puertorriqueñas se beneficien de estos recursos sin precedentes y apoyen proyectos como estos:
El proyecto del Departamento de Salud de Puerto Rico utilizará fondos para promover los objetivos de protección de la salud de la Ley de Agua Potable Segura. Este acuerdo proporcionará fondos para reemplazar las tuberías de servicio de agua potable con plomo y ayudará a identificar la planificación, el diseño y el reemplazo de las tuberías de servicio de las tuberías de servicio propiedad del cliente y de la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AAA). El Departamento de Salud también utilizará estos fondos para proporcionar asistencia técnica a los administradores de programas estatales y a los administradores de pequeños sistemas de agua.
Para ver más historias sobre cómo las inversiones sin precedentes de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura están transformando comunidades en todo el país, visite el Esquema Narrativo sobre la Infraestructura de Agua de Invertir en Estados Unidos. Para obtener más información sobre algunos proyectos adicionales que están en marcha, consulte el informe de la EPA publicado recientemente Informe Trimestral sobre proyectos SRF de Agua Limpia y Agua Potable Financiados por la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura y explore el Portal Público de Fondos Rotatorios Estatales.
Las asignaciones de hoy se basan en la 7ª Encuesta y Evaluación de Necesidades de Infraestructura de Agua Potable actualizada de la EPA, que incluye una evaluación de las presentaciones de actualización únicas. Hasta la fecha, estos son los mejores datos disponibles recopilados y evaluados sobre los materiales de las tuberías de servicio en los Estados Unidos. A finales de este verano, la EPA publicará un apéndice al 7º Informe DWINSA al Congreso, que incluirá las proyecciones actualizadas de las tuberías de servicio de plomo. La EPA anticipa el inicio de la recopilación de datos, que incluirá información sobre las tuberías de servicio de plomo, para el 8º DWINSA en 2025.
Para obtener más información, incluida la asignación de fondos para 2024 estado por estado y un desglose del Fondo Rotativo Estatal de Agua Potable de la EPA, visite el sitio web de Agua Potable de la EPA.
Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en X y visite nuestra página en Facebook. Para obtener más información sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.
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La EPA anuncia la última ronda de financiamiento del compromiso del presidente Biden para reemplazar todas las tuberías de plomo del país, protegiendo así la salud pública y ayudando a abastecer agua potable segura
Contacto: Iris M. Crawford (Crawford.iris@epa.gov) 347-908-3374
NUEVA YORK – Hoy, la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos (EPA, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció la asignación de $28.6 millones de la agenda Invertir en Estados Unidos del presidente Biden para ayudar a Puerto Rico a identificar y reemplazar las tuberías de plomo para prevenir la exposición al plomo en el agua potable. El plomo puede causar una serie de graves efectos en la salud, incluido el daño irreversible al desarrollo cerebral de los niños. Para proteger a los niños y las familias, el presidente Biden se ha comprometido a reemplazar todas las tuberías de plomo del país. El anuncio de hoy, financiado por la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura y disponible a través del exitoso Fondo Rotatorio Estatal de Agua Potable de la EPA (DWSRF), da otro paso importante para avanzar en este trabajo y la justicia ambiental y refuerza el Plan de Acción de Tuberías y Pinturas de Plomo de la Administración y la Iniciativa Eliminar el Plomo de la EPA.
Trabajando en colaboración, la EPA y los Fondos Rotatorios Estatales están promoviendo la Iniciativa Justice40 del Presidente, ya que la exposición al plomo afecta de manera desproporcionada a las comunidades desventajadas y a las familias de bajos ingresos. Se espera que los fondos totales anunciados a través de este programa hasta la fecha reemplacen hasta 1.7 millones de tuberías de plomo en todo el país, asegurando agua potable limpia para innumerables familias.
“La ciencia lo ha dejado en claro, no existe un nivel seguro de exposición al plomo, y la principal fuente de exposición dañina en el agua potable es a través de las tuberías de plomo”, comentó el administrador de la EPA, Michael S. Regan. “El presidente Biden entiende que es fundamental identificar y eliminar las tuberías de plomo lo más rápido posible, y ha asegurado recursos significativos para que los estados y territorios aceleren la eliminación permanente de las peligrosas tuberías de plomo de una vez por todas”.
“Todas las familias puertorriqueñas merecen agua potable segura cuando abren el grifo y esta importante inyección de fondos reforzará aún más el trabajo para lograr esa meta”, indicó la administradora regional de la EPA, Lisa F. García. “Durante demasiado tiempo, la necesidad urgente de mejorar nuestros sistemas de agua potable ha superado con creces los fondos disponibles. Este financiamiento crucial de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura está ayudando a cerrar esa brecha”.
“La exposición continua al plomo en el agua potable es un grave riesgo para la salud de las personas, especialmente de los niños. Me complace que Puerto Rico recibirá $28.6 millones en fondos para el reemplazo de tuberías de servicio de agua con plomo conforme a la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura. Este financiamiento a través del Fondo Rotatorio Estatal (SRF) nos ayuda a avanzar en abordar el problema apremiante de la infraestructura envejecida y salvaguardar la salud de nuestros residentes”, señaló la representante Jenniffer González-Colón. “Al reemplazar estas tuberías obsoletas, estamos mejorando la calidad del agua y protegiendo el bienestar de nuestras comunidades para las generaciones venideras. Estoy orgullosa de haber sido parte del esfuerzo para elaborar y aprobar la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura como miembro del Comité de Transporte e Infraestructura de la Cámara de Representantes. A medida que avanzamos, sigo dedicada a abogar por inversiones adicionales en la infraestructura de Puerto Rico para abordar los desafíos de larga data y construir un futuro más resiliente para todos”.
La Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura invierte la cifra histórica de $15 mil millones para identificar y reemplazar las tuberías de servicio de plomo. La ley exige que el 49% de los fondos proporcionados a través de la Financiación Suplementaria General del Fondo Rotatorio Estatal para Agua Potable (DWSRF) y la Financiación de Reemplazo de la Línea de Servicio Principal de la DWSRF se proporcionen como subvenciones y préstamos condonables a las comunidades desventajadas, una inversión crucial para las comunidades en las que no se ha invertido lo suficiente durante demasiado tiempo. La EPA proyecta un total nacional de 9 millones de tuberías de servicios de plomo en todo el país, según los datos recopilados de la 7ª Encuesta y Evaluación de Necesidades de Infraestructura de Agua Potable. Los fondos anunciados hoy se proporcionarán específicamente para la identificación y reemplazo de tuberías de servicio de plomo y ayudarán a todos los estados y territorios a financiar proyectos para eliminar las tuberías de plomo y reducir la exposición al plomo del agua potable. Esta fórmula específica de la Línea de Servicio de Plomo permite a los estados recibir asistencia financiera acorde con sus necesidades lo antes posible, promoviendo la protección de la salud pública en todo el país. Para garantizar que los fondos se utilicen para actividades relacionadas con las tuberías de servicio de plomo, las asignaciones de LSLR se basan en la necesidad, lo que significa que los estados con más tuberías de servicio de plomo proyectadas reciben proporcionalmente más.
Junto con el financiamiento anunciado hoy, la EPA también publica un memorándum que aclara la manera en que los estados pueden usar este y otros fondos para reducir más eficazmente la exposición al plomo en el agua potable. Además, la EPA ha desarrollado nuevos documentos de divulgación para ayudar a los sistemas de agua a educar a sus clientes sobre los problemas del agua potable, los impactos en la salud de la exposición al plomo, la propiedad de las tuberías de servicio y cómo los clientes pueden apoyar la identificación de posibles tuberías de servicio de plomo en sus hogares.
La ambiciosa iniciativa de la Administración Biden-Harris para eliminar las tuberías de plomo ya ha dado resultados significativos para las familias de todo el país. Los últimos fondos de hoy asegurarán que más familias puertorriqueñas se beneficien de estos recursos sin precedentes y apoyen proyectos como estos:
El proyecto del Departamento de Salud de Puerto Rico utilizará fondos para promover los objetivos de protección de la salud de la Ley de Agua Potable Segura. Este acuerdo proporcionará fondos para reemplazar las tuberías de servicio de agua potable con plomo y ayudará a identificar la planificación, el diseño y el reemplazo de las tuberías de servicio de las tuberías de servicio propiedad del cliente y de la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AAA). El Departamento de Salud también utilizará estos fondos para proporcionar asistencia técnica a los administradores de programas estatales y a los administradores de pequeños sistemas de agua.
Para ver más historias sobre cómo las inversiones sin precedentes de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura están transformando comunidades en todo el país, visite el Esquema Narrativo sobre la Infraestructura de Agua de Invertir en Estados Unidos. Para obtener más información sobre algunos proyectos adicionales que están en marcha, consulte el informe de la EPA publicado recientemente Informe Trimestral sobre proyectos SRF de Agua Limpia y Agua Potable Financiados por la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura y explore el Portal Público de Fondos Rotatorios Estatales.
Las asignaciones de hoy se basan en la 7ª Encuesta y Evaluación de Necesidades de Infraestructura de Agua Potable actualizada de la EPA, que incluye una evaluación de las presentaciones de actualización únicas. Hasta la fecha, estos son los mejores datos disponibles recopilados y evaluados sobre los materiales de las tuberías de servicio en los Estados Unidos. A finales de este verano, la EPA publicará un apéndice al 7º Informe DWINSA al Congreso, que incluirá las proyecciones actualizadas de las tuberías de servicio de plomo. La EPA anticipa el inicio de la recopilación de datos, que incluirá información sobre las tuberías de servicio de plomo, para el 8º DWINSA en 2025.
Para obtener más información, incluida la asignación de fondos para 2024 estado por estado y un desglose del Fondo Rotativo Estatal de Agua Potable de la EPA, visite el sitio web de Agua Potable de la EPA.
Siga a la Región 2 de la EPA en X y visite nuestra página en Facebook. Para obtener más información sobre la Región 2 de la EPA, visite nuestro sitio web.
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EPA and New York State Break Ground on Project to Ensure Clean Drinking Water for Hicksville, N.Y. Households
Hicksville, N.Y. (May 13, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of New York broke ground on a pivotal drinking water infrastructure project in Hicksville, N.Y. System operators will install a system to safeguard the community’s drinking water from PFAS chemicals, also known as ‘forever chemicals.’ The project received water infrastructure investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement grant program.
“No matter where people live, they should feel confident about the water coming out of the faucet,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “This new system—along with other improvements under way and planned for this project—will give that assurance to the people of Hicksville.”
EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia joined U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi, New York State Department of Health Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne and New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Director of Program Management Máire Cunningham in front of Hicksville Water District’s Plant 6 where construction is already underway. Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Hicksville Water District Chairman Karl Schweitzer also joined the celebration.
This portion of the efforts to improve the Hicksville system is funded by a $2 million Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Emerging Contaminants grant through the New York Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program and a $3 million New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement grant. The new treatment system is designed to meet the EPA’s new final PFAS standards. In addition to the $5 million in grants for the project breaking ground today, New York State has awarded the Hicksville Water District $31 million in New York State grants to date to install treatment systems that remove emerging contaminants at their water supply well sites.
“Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is supercharging the effort to clean-up our drinking water even while it creates good-paying jobs and boosts the Long Island economy. I’m proud that the EPA is putting $2 million in Infrastructure Law funding forward to help Hicksville Water District and New York build a water treatment system to more effectively screen out dangerous 1,4 Dioxane, PFOS, PFOA and other toxins from residents’ drinking water. This is just the beginning, and I will continue to advocate for more funding and safety improvements across Long Island,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“All New Yorkers deserve to have access to safe, reliable drinking water, yet far too many are still exposed to dangerous PFAS chemicals that are infiltrating New York water supplies,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am thrilled to see work begin on this critical water infrastructure project that will remove PFAS chemicals from the drinking water supply for Hicksville area residents. I am proud to have helped secure the federal funding for this project by fighting to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will continue fighting for the resources needed to enhance public health and provide New Yorkers with access to safe drinking water.”
"I fought for the bipartisan infrastructure bill so we could get funding to places like the Hicksville Water District. We will need more money to protect our drinking water without raising taxes," said U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi (NY-3). "I will continue fight to bring more money back to water districts here on Long Island and in Queens."
“Today’s groundbreaking in Hicksville represents the continued commitment of both New York State and the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure our communities have access to clean drinking water, as this is a fundamentally important element to good health,”
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “We thank our partners for their collaborative leadership and investments in protecting the drinking water here in Hicksville and throughout New York State.”
“EFC is proud to have provided critical grants to the Hicksville Water District since 2017 in support of vital projects that safeguard drinking water for thousands of residents in Nassau County. This financial assistance is projected to save local ratepayers over $57 million in costs the water district would have incurred if it had financed these projects on its own,” said New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman. “Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, EFC and our partners in federal, state, and local government continue working to ensure that communities large and small receive the support they need to undertake projects that are vital to their residents’ public health and quality of life.”
“Thanks to the U.S. EPA under the leadership of Administrator Regan and Regional Administrator Garcia, New York State is advancing efforts to remove emerging contaminants like PFAS from drinking water in Hicksville, and communities across Long Island,” said New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar. “DEC continues to work closely with our local, state, and federal partners to upgrade critical water infrastructure statewide with significant investments thanks to the Biden Administration, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and New York State’s Clean Water Infrastructure Act and Environmental Bond Act.”
“I look forward to working together to address the remediation of emerging contaminants so that we can continue to provide safe drinking water in our communities,” said Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker. “Our water districts cannot do this alone. They need all government agencies to work together so that the financial burden does not fall on the rate payers alone.”
“All over this region, we’re fighting contamination from corporations of the past where taxpayers are forced to clean up the mess. We thank the Federal and State government for allocating funds to this project and commend the Hicksville Water District for all they are doing to protect water at the tap,” stated Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “In Town government, we will continue doing everything we can to shine a light on the polluters who contaminated our soils and groundwater while demanding they be held accountable for the cleanup of their environmental mess.”
"The Hicksville Water District has spent the last several years aggressively planning and pursuing the most state-of-the-art treatment technology available as we treat for 1,4-dioxane and forever chemicals. Our community deserves the highest-quality drinking water possible, and we are proud to say that our efforts have been successful in doing so,” said Hicksville Water District Chairman Karl Schweitzer. “On behalf of the Hicksville community, we thank the EPA and New York State for the grant funding that has allowed us to do this work at a reduced cost to our residents."
Serving nearly 48,000 Nassau County residents, the Hicksville Water District has detected PFOA, PFOS and 1,4-dioxane in fourteen of their public water supply wells, including in the two wells at Plant No. 6 which supply 15 percent of Hicksville’s drinking water. Although levels of PFOA and PFOS at Plant No. 6 are less than the current state standard of 10 parts per trillion, they have exceeded the new federal maximum contaminant level of 4 parts per trillion. The 1,4-dioxane levels at the plant are nearing the state’s limit of 1 part per billion.
The Hicksville Water District has been proactively blending the well water at the plant as a short-term measure to ensure that the water that comes from the tap meets water quality standards. As a long-term solution to address emerging contaminants at Plant No. 6, the Hicksville Water District will install treatment to remove PFOA, PFOS and 1,4-dioxane. The project enhances proactive public health protection with the goal of producing treated water free from detectable PFOS, PFOA and 1,4-dioxane.
Hicksville Water District has successfully completed the pre-construction phase for the new treatment building, which involved critical modifications to site piping and the placement of the electrical transformer. The project is currently on track for a June 2025 finish.
On April 10 of this year, the Biden-Harris Administration issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Exposure to PFAS has been linked to deadly cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children.
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“No matter where people live, they should feel confident about the water coming out of the faucet,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “This new system—along with other improvements under way and planned for this project—will give that assurance to the people of Hicksville.”
EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia joined U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi, New York State Department of Health Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne and New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Director of Program Management Máire Cunningham in front of Hicksville Water District’s Plant 6 where construction is already underway. Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Hicksville Water District Chairman Karl Schweitzer also joined the celebration.
This portion of the efforts to improve the Hicksville system is funded by a $2 million Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Emerging Contaminants grant through the New York Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program and a $3 million New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement grant. The new treatment system is designed to meet the EPA’s new final PFAS standards. In addition to the $5 million in grants for the project breaking ground today, New York State has awarded the Hicksville Water District $31 million in New York State grants to date to install treatment systems that remove emerging contaminants at their water supply well sites.
“Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is supercharging the effort to clean-up our drinking water even while it creates good-paying jobs and boosts the Long Island economy. I’m proud that the EPA is putting $2 million in Infrastructure Law funding forward to help Hicksville Water District and New York build a water treatment system to more effectively screen out dangerous 1,4 Dioxane, PFOS, PFOA and other toxins from residents’ drinking water. This is just the beginning, and I will continue to advocate for more funding and safety improvements across Long Island,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
“All New Yorkers deserve to have access to safe, reliable drinking water, yet far too many are still exposed to dangerous PFAS chemicals that are infiltrating New York water supplies,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am thrilled to see work begin on this critical water infrastructure project that will remove PFAS chemicals from the drinking water supply for Hicksville area residents. I am proud to have helped secure the federal funding for this project by fighting to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will continue fighting for the resources needed to enhance public health and provide New Yorkers with access to safe drinking water.”
"I fought for the bipartisan infrastructure bill so we could get funding to places like the Hicksville Water District. We will need more money to protect our drinking water without raising taxes," said U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi (NY-3). "I will continue fight to bring more money back to water districts here on Long Island and in Queens."
“Today’s groundbreaking in Hicksville represents the continued commitment of both New York State and the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure our communities have access to clean drinking water, as this is a fundamentally important element to good health,”
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “We thank our partners for their collaborative leadership and investments in protecting the drinking water here in Hicksville and throughout New York State.”
“EFC is proud to have provided critical grants to the Hicksville Water District since 2017 in support of vital projects that safeguard drinking water for thousands of residents in Nassau County. This financial assistance is projected to save local ratepayers over $57 million in costs the water district would have incurred if it had financed these projects on its own,” said New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman. “Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, EFC and our partners in federal, state, and local government continue working to ensure that communities large and small receive the support they need to undertake projects that are vital to their residents’ public health and quality of life.”
“Thanks to the U.S. EPA under the leadership of Administrator Regan and Regional Administrator Garcia, New York State is advancing efforts to remove emerging contaminants like PFAS from drinking water in Hicksville, and communities across Long Island,” said New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar. “DEC continues to work closely with our local, state, and federal partners to upgrade critical water infrastructure statewide with significant investments thanks to the Biden Administration, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and New York State’s Clean Water Infrastructure Act and Environmental Bond Act.”
“I look forward to working together to address the remediation of emerging contaminants so that we can continue to provide safe drinking water in our communities,” said Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker. “Our water districts cannot do this alone. They need all government agencies to work together so that the financial burden does not fall on the rate payers alone.”
“All over this region, we’re fighting contamination from corporations of the past where taxpayers are forced to clean up the mess. We thank the Federal and State government for allocating funds to this project and commend the Hicksville Water District for all they are doing to protect water at the tap,” stated Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “In Town government, we will continue doing everything we can to shine a light on the polluters who contaminated our soils and groundwater while demanding they be held accountable for the cleanup of their environmental mess.”
"The Hicksville Water District has spent the last several years aggressively planning and pursuing the most state-of-the-art treatment technology available as we treat for 1,4-dioxane and forever chemicals. Our community deserves the highest-quality drinking water possible, and we are proud to say that our efforts have been successful in doing so,” said Hicksville Water District Chairman Karl Schweitzer. “On behalf of the Hicksville community, we thank the EPA and New York State for the grant funding that has allowed us to do this work at a reduced cost to our residents."
Serving nearly 48,000 Nassau County residents, the Hicksville Water District has detected PFOA, PFOS and 1,4-dioxane in fourteen of their public water supply wells, including in the two wells at Plant No. 6 which supply 15 percent of Hicksville’s drinking water. Although levels of PFOA and PFOS at Plant No. 6 are less than the current state standard of 10 parts per trillion, they have exceeded the new federal maximum contaminant level of 4 parts per trillion. The 1,4-dioxane levels at the plant are nearing the state’s limit of 1 part per billion.
The Hicksville Water District has been proactively blending the well water at the plant as a short-term measure to ensure that the water that comes from the tap meets water quality standards. As a long-term solution to address emerging contaminants at Plant No. 6, the Hicksville Water District will install treatment to remove PFOA, PFOS and 1,4-dioxane. The project enhances proactive public health protection with the goal of producing treated water free from detectable PFOS, PFOA and 1,4-dioxane.
Hicksville Water District has successfully completed the pre-construction phase for the new treatment building, which involved critical modifications to site piping and the placement of the electrical transformer. The project is currently on track for a June 2025 finish.
On April 10 of this year, the Biden-Harris Administration issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Exposure to PFAS has been linked to deadly cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children.
Follow EPA Region 2 on X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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EPA announces 2024 Regional Pollution Prevention Award Program
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 10 announced the Regional Pollution Prevention (P2) Award Program for 2024.
The program recognizes companies for leadership in innovative P2 practices within Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and businesses operating on Tribal lands.
“The P2 program provides a unique opportunity for EPA to support efforts being led by companies across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska to prevent and reduce pollution,” said Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller.
EPA’s P2 program is voluntary and empowers stakeholders to seek innovative ways to prevent pollution from entering waste streams through a competitive grant process and the provision of technical assistance to businesses.
Those interested in applying must submit a complete application by May 24, describing pollution prevention efforts and activities, cost savings, pounds of hazardous chemicals reduced, energy conserved, or gallons of water saved, as well as the replicability of their approach.
Background
The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 defines P2 as any practice that reduces environmental releases of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants prior to entering a waste stream for recycling, treatment or disposal. P2 conserves natural resources, including water and energy, by focusing industry, government and public attention on reducing pollution through the implementation of cost-effective changes in production, operation and the use of raw materials.
Visit the P2 website for more information.
The program recognizes companies for leadership in innovative P2 practices within Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and businesses operating on Tribal lands.
“The P2 program provides a unique opportunity for EPA to support efforts being led by companies across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska to prevent and reduce pollution,” said Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller.
EPA’s P2 program is voluntary and empowers stakeholders to seek innovative ways to prevent pollution from entering waste streams through a competitive grant process and the provision of technical assistance to businesses.
Those interested in applying must submit a complete application by May 24, describing pollution prevention efforts and activities, cost savings, pounds of hazardous chemicals reduced, energy conserved, or gallons of water saved, as well as the replicability of their approach.
Background
The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 defines P2 as any practice that reduces environmental releases of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants prior to entering a waste stream for recycling, treatment or disposal. P2 conserves natural resources, including water and energy, by focusing industry, government and public attention on reducing pollution through the implementation of cost-effective changes in production, operation and the use of raw materials.
Visit the P2 website for more information.
Biden-Harris Administration Marks 2024 Infrastructure Week as $11.5 Billion in Water Infrastructure Investments Reach State Finance Programs Across the Country Through Investing in America Agenda
WASHINGTON – Today, May 13, as the Biden-Harris Administration kicks off Infrastructure Week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency highlighted the more than $11.5 billion in water infrastructure funding available for states this year through the FY24 State Revolving Fund programs, under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. Thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, communities across the country have access to unprecedented funding through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs for priority water infrastructure projects that upgrade aging water mains and pumps, replace toxic lead pipes, address per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and improve community resilience to climate change impacts like flooding.
“Water infrastructure is a critical part of our daily lives. It delivers clean, safe drinking water; it collects and treats wastewater and it helps to manage floodwater and drought impacts,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. “Maintaining and upgrading water infrastructure is essential to protecting public health and the environment, and it creates family-sustaining jobs. That is the win-win that EPA is delivering to communities through $11.5 billion for water under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.”
Communities across the country are facing water infrastructure challenges. Many cities and towns have aging water infrastructure – old, broken, or toxic lead pipes carrying drinking water and wastewater treatment plants in need of major upgrades. Some communities need to upgrade their drinking water systems to reduce contaminants like PFAS while others struggle to maintain adequate stormwater infrastructure to effectively manage flood impacts from climate change.
In 2024, EPA has announced a number of investments for the SRF programs. Funding for the SRF programs has been allotted to the states, who then provide financial assistance to communities in their states for critical water infrastructure projects. This year, EPA has announced a total of $8.8 billion for both the Clean Water SRF and the Drinking Water SRF from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Nearly half of this funding is dedicated to support disadvantaged communities and does not have to be paid back, ensuring that this historic funding flows to communities that need it most. These programs are part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, and other covered investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments are in addition to the annual appropriations for the SRF programs. This year, the base program allotments provided to the states through the Clean Water SRF total $824 million and for Drinking Water SRF total $466 million. Combined, EPA’s SRF investment in 2024 is more than $11.5 billion. View a chart that outlines all of the 2024 SRF investments on EPA’s Water Infrastructure website.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Action
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected almost $25 billion into water infrastructure projects across the country, protecting public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs. To view stories about how the unpreceded investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are transforming communities across the country, visit EPA’s new Investing in America’s Water Infrastructure Storymap. To read more about some additional projects that are underway, see EPA’s recently released Quarterly Report on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funded Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF projects and explore the State Revolving Funds Public Portal.
Background
The Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and the Clean Water State Revolving Funds have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments for more than 30 years, providing more than $229 billion in low-cost financing for local projects across America. The SRF programs are critically important programs for investing in the nation’s water infrastructure. They are designed to generate significant and sustainable water quality and public health benefits across the country. Their impact is amplified by the growth inherent in a revolving loan structure – payment of principal and interest on loans made are available to address future needs.
For more information, including state-by-state allotment of 2024 funding, and a breakdown of EPA State Revolving Fund funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, please visit the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund website and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund website.
“Water infrastructure is a critical part of our daily lives. It delivers clean, safe drinking water; it collects and treats wastewater and it helps to manage floodwater and drought impacts,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. “Maintaining and upgrading water infrastructure is essential to protecting public health and the environment, and it creates family-sustaining jobs. That is the win-win that EPA is delivering to communities through $11.5 billion for water under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.”
Communities across the country are facing water infrastructure challenges. Many cities and towns have aging water infrastructure – old, broken, or toxic lead pipes carrying drinking water and wastewater treatment plants in need of major upgrades. Some communities need to upgrade their drinking water systems to reduce contaminants like PFAS while others struggle to maintain adequate stormwater infrastructure to effectively manage flood impacts from climate change.
In 2024, EPA has announced a number of investments for the SRF programs. Funding for the SRF programs has been allotted to the states, who then provide financial assistance to communities in their states for critical water infrastructure projects. This year, EPA has announced a total of $8.8 billion for both the Clean Water SRF and the Drinking Water SRF from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Nearly half of this funding is dedicated to support disadvantaged communities and does not have to be paid back, ensuring that this historic funding flows to communities that need it most. These programs are part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, and other covered investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments are in addition to the annual appropriations for the SRF programs. This year, the base program allotments provided to the states through the Clean Water SRF total $824 million and for Drinking Water SRF total $466 million. Combined, EPA’s SRF investment in 2024 is more than $11.5 billion. View a chart that outlines all of the 2024 SRF investments on EPA’s Water Infrastructure website.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Action
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected almost $25 billion into water infrastructure projects across the country, protecting public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs. To view stories about how the unpreceded investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are transforming communities across the country, visit EPA’s new Investing in America’s Water Infrastructure Storymap. To read more about some additional projects that are underway, see EPA’s recently released Quarterly Report on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funded Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF projects and explore the State Revolving Funds Public Portal.
Background
The Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and the Clean Water State Revolving Funds have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments for more than 30 years, providing more than $229 billion in low-cost financing for local projects across America. The SRF programs are critically important programs for investing in the nation’s water infrastructure. They are designed to generate significant and sustainable water quality and public health benefits across the country. Their impact is amplified by the growth inherent in a revolving loan structure – payment of principal and interest on loans made are available to address future needs.
For more information, including state-by-state allotment of 2024 funding, and a breakdown of EPA State Revolving Fund funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, please visit the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund website and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund website.
USDA, HHS Announce New Actions to Reduce Impact and Spread of H5N1
On March 25, 2024, immediately following the first detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle in the Texas panhandle region, USDA and HHS began their work to understand the origin of the emergence and its potential impact in bovines and humans. USDA experts also took swift action to trace animal movements, began sampling to assess the disease prevalence in herds, and initiated a variety of testing activities to confirm the safety of the meat and milk supplies alongside federal partners.
Dali refloating triggers multiyear insurance claim process for shippers
Shippers will soon be able to retrieve cargo aboard the Dali, but they or their insurers will be expected to post sizeable bonds to cover general average claims.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $1,169,000 in Available Grants to Upgrade Stormwater and Sewer Infrastructure in Florida
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 10, 2024) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of nearly $1,169,000 for Florida through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program to help communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs. Safely managing stormwater is critical to preventing contaminants, including untreated sewage, from polluting waterways. EPA’s grant funding is available to states to support projects in cities and towns that will strengthen their stormwater collection systems to be more resilient against increasingly intense rain events made worse by the climate crisis.
“Our nation’s waterways are vital to healthy communities. They provide sources of drinking water, support farming, power economic opportunity, and give us opportunities to swim and to fish. Keeping our waterways clean and safe is essential, and stormwater runoff is one of the biggest pollution challenges facing our water ecosystems,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. “Under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, EPA is making grant funds available for stormwater solutions. Because it does not have to be paid back, this funding is especially effective in helping disadvantaged communities protect their waterways.”
“Sewer overflows can cause significant health and environmental problems in communities, and this historic grant funding for stormwater and sewer upgrades will encourage and support better health for people and the environment,” said Jeaneanne M. Gettle, Acting Region 4 Administrator. “By Improving the infrastructure in the Southeast communities will be able to meet the challenges presented by a changing climate.”
When rain and floodwaters overrun combined sewer and stormwater systems, they bypass treatment and transport pollution and sewage directly into creeks, streams, and rivers. These untreated discharges threaten human health, economic prosperity, and ecological function. Stormwater management is a complex challenge for communities across the country. Through changes made by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this grant program will prioritize stormwater infrastructure projects in rural (population of 10,000 or less) and/or financially distressed communities and prevent cost share requirements from being passed on to these communities.
Additional funding for stormwater and wastewater upgrades is available through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is providing $11.7 billion to states to upgrade wastewater infrastructure through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Additionally, the seventh round of EPA’s WIFIA financing is available—with $6.5 billion through WIFIA and $1 billion through the State infrastructure financing authority WIFIA (SWIFIA). EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA, a loan program exclusively for State infrastructure financing authority borrowers. Learn more about submitting a letter of interest for a WIFIA loan.
These programs advance President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which sets a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Learn more about the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program.
Background
Stormwater can be a significant source of water pollution and a public health concern. Stormwater can collect various pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment and convey them to nearby waterways. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater in combined sewers, stormwater can also contribute to combined sewer overflows during heavy storm events.
EPA is working with local and state partners to leverage the resources of the federal government to meet the needs of these communities. In the past, states and communities shared a fixed portion of the costs associated with all projects funded through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law changed the program so that 25% of Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funds go to available projects in rural and/or financially distressed communities; it also limited states’ abilities to pass on the burden of cost sharing to these communities. To encourage investment in these critical projects, EPA modified the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program so that state grantees are not required to contribute cost share money for Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program projects located in rural or financially distressed communities. However, grant portions that go to communities other than rural or financially distressed communities will include a cost share requirement.
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“Our nation’s waterways are vital to healthy communities. They provide sources of drinking water, support farming, power economic opportunity, and give us opportunities to swim and to fish. Keeping our waterways clean and safe is essential, and stormwater runoff is one of the biggest pollution challenges facing our water ecosystems,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. “Under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, EPA is making grant funds available for stormwater solutions. Because it does not have to be paid back, this funding is especially effective in helping disadvantaged communities protect their waterways.”
“Sewer overflows can cause significant health and environmental problems in communities, and this historic grant funding for stormwater and sewer upgrades will encourage and support better health for people and the environment,” said Jeaneanne M. Gettle, Acting Region 4 Administrator. “By Improving the infrastructure in the Southeast communities will be able to meet the challenges presented by a changing climate.”
When rain and floodwaters overrun combined sewer and stormwater systems, they bypass treatment and transport pollution and sewage directly into creeks, streams, and rivers. These untreated discharges threaten human health, economic prosperity, and ecological function. Stormwater management is a complex challenge for communities across the country. Through changes made by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this grant program will prioritize stormwater infrastructure projects in rural (population of 10,000 or less) and/or financially distressed communities and prevent cost share requirements from being passed on to these communities.
Additional funding for stormwater and wastewater upgrades is available through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is providing $11.7 billion to states to upgrade wastewater infrastructure through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Additionally, the seventh round of EPA’s WIFIA financing is available—with $6.5 billion through WIFIA and $1 billion through the State infrastructure financing authority WIFIA (SWIFIA). EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA, a loan program exclusively for State infrastructure financing authority borrowers. Learn more about submitting a letter of interest for a WIFIA loan.
These programs advance President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which sets a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Learn more about the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program.
Background
Stormwater can be a significant source of water pollution and a public health concern. Stormwater can collect various pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment and convey them to nearby waterways. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater in combined sewers, stormwater can also contribute to combined sewer overflows during heavy storm events.
EPA is working with local and state partners to leverage the resources of the federal government to meet the needs of these communities. In the past, states and communities shared a fixed portion of the costs associated with all projects funded through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law changed the program so that 25% of Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funds go to available projects in rural and/or financially distressed communities; it also limited states’ abilities to pass on the burden of cost sharing to these communities. To encourage investment in these critical projects, EPA modified the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program so that state grantees are not required to contribute cost share money for Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program projects located in rural or financially distressed communities. However, grant portions that go to communities other than rural or financially distressed communities will include a cost share requirement.
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $606,000 in Available Grants to Upgrade Stormwater and Sewer Infrastructure in Georgia
ATLANTA (May 10, 2024) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of nearly $606,000 for Georgia through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program to help communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs. Safely managing stormwater is critical to preventing contaminants, including untreated sewage, from polluting waterways. EPA’s grant funding is available to states to support projects in cities and towns that will strengthen their stormwater collection systems to be more resilient against increasingly intense rain events made worse by the climate crisis.
“Our nation’s waterways are vital to healthy communities. They provide sources of drinking water, support farming, power economic opportunity, and give us opportunities to swim and to fish. Keeping our waterways clean and safe is essential, and stormwater runoff is one of the biggest pollution challenges facing our water ecosystems,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. “Under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, EPA is making grant funds available for stormwater solutions. Because it does not have to be paid back, this funding is especially effective in helping disadvantaged communities protect their waterways.”
“Sewer overflows can cause significant health and environmental problems in communities, and this historic grant funding for stormwater and sewer upgrades will encourage and support better health for people and the environment,” said Jeaneanne M. Gettle, Acting Region 4 Administrator. “By Improving the infrastructure in the Southeast communities will be able to meet the challenges presented by a changing climate.”
When rain and floodwaters overrun combined sewer and stormwater systems, they bypass treatment and transport pollution and sewage directly into creeks, streams, and rivers. These untreated discharges threaten human health, economic prosperity, and ecological function. Stormwater management is a complex challenge for communities across the country. Through changes made by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this grant program will prioritize stormwater infrastructure projects in rural (population of 10,000 or less) and/or financially distressed communities and prevent cost share requirements from being passed on to these communities.
Additional funding for stormwater and wastewater upgrades is available through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is providing $11.7 billion to states to upgrade wastewater infrastructure through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Additionally, the seventh round of EPA’s WIFIA financing is available—with $6.5 billion through WIFIA and $1 billion through the State infrastructure financing authority WIFIA (SWIFIA). EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA, a loan program exclusively for State infrastructure financing authority borrowers. Learn more about submitting a letter of interest for a WIFIA loan.
These programs advance President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which sets a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Learn more about the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program.
Background
Stormwater can be a significant source of water pollution and a public health concern. Stormwater can collect various pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment and convey them to nearby waterways. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater in combined sewers, stormwater can also contribute to combined sewer overflows during heavy storm events.
EPA is working with local and state partners to leverage the resources of the federal government to meet the needs of these communities. In the past, states and communities shared a fixed portion of the costs associated with all projects funded through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law changed the program so that 25% of Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funds go to available projects in rural and/or financially distressed communities; it also limited states’ abilities to pass on the burden of cost sharing to these communities. To encourage investment in these critical projects, EPA modified the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program so that state grantees are not required to contribute cost share money for Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program projects located in rural or financially distressed communities. However, grant portions that go to communities other than rural or financially distressed communities will include a cost share requirement.
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“Our nation’s waterways are vital to healthy communities. They provide sources of drinking water, support farming, power economic opportunity, and give us opportunities to swim and to fish. Keeping our waterways clean and safe is essential, and stormwater runoff is one of the biggest pollution challenges facing our water ecosystems,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. “Under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, EPA is making grant funds available for stormwater solutions. Because it does not have to be paid back, this funding is especially effective in helping disadvantaged communities protect their waterways.”
“Sewer overflows can cause significant health and environmental problems in communities, and this historic grant funding for stormwater and sewer upgrades will encourage and support better health for people and the environment,” said Jeaneanne M. Gettle, Acting Region 4 Administrator. “By Improving the infrastructure in the Southeast communities will be able to meet the challenges presented by a changing climate.”
When rain and floodwaters overrun combined sewer and stormwater systems, they bypass treatment and transport pollution and sewage directly into creeks, streams, and rivers. These untreated discharges threaten human health, economic prosperity, and ecological function. Stormwater management is a complex challenge for communities across the country. Through changes made by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this grant program will prioritize stormwater infrastructure projects in rural (population of 10,000 or less) and/or financially distressed communities and prevent cost share requirements from being passed on to these communities.
Additional funding for stormwater and wastewater upgrades is available through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is providing $11.7 billion to states to upgrade wastewater infrastructure through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Additionally, the seventh round of EPA’s WIFIA financing is available—with $6.5 billion through WIFIA and $1 billion through the State infrastructure financing authority WIFIA (SWIFIA). EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA, a loan program exclusively for State infrastructure financing authority borrowers. Learn more about submitting a letter of interest for a WIFIA loan.
These programs advance President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which sets a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Learn more about the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program.
Background
Stormwater can be a significant source of water pollution and a public health concern. Stormwater can collect various pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment and convey them to nearby waterways. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater in combined sewers, stormwater can also contribute to combined sewer overflows during heavy storm events.
EPA is working with local and state partners to leverage the resources of the federal government to meet the needs of these communities. In the past, states and communities shared a fixed portion of the costs associated with all projects funded through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law changed the program so that 25% of Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program funds go to available projects in rural and/or financially distressed communities; it also limited states’ abilities to pass on the burden of cost sharing to these communities. To encourage investment in these critical projects, EPA modified the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program so that state grantees are not required to contribute cost share money for Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program projects located in rural or financially distressed communities. However, grant portions that go to communities other than rural or financially distressed communities will include a cost share requirement.
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