The Department of the Interior recently announced it will invest $420 million in rural water construction activities in fiscal year 2022.
The funding is part of President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan, according to a department press release. This investment intends to provide potable water to rural and Tribal communities.
"Rural water projects get to the heart of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by building resiliency and supporting local economies" Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, said in the release. "Providing this project-specific funding underscores the administration’s commitment to help rural and Tribal communities access safe drinking water and the water treatment infrastructure they deserve. With a $4.6 billion investment over five years for aging water infrastructure and rural water projects, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ensures that rural and Tribal communities receive adequate assistance and support.”
Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Tanya Trujillo, praised the plan.
“Under the Biden-Harris administration, the Department is committed to bringing clean, reliable drinking water to rural communities to help strengthen resilience to climate change,” she said. “The significant amount of funding for rural water construction from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help us expedite project completion."
There are several rural water projects under construction and one that has been authorized that are eligible for the funding in six states, including projects in Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota and South Dakota, the release stated.
In addition to the funding from the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and other organizations also have the capability to provide funding for water projects, according to the EPA website.
