The Environmental Protection Agency announced it will be providing an additional $1.9 billion for loans to provide municipalities with the resources they need to improve water infrastructure for residents.
According to a May 13 EPA news release, this funding is set to help states, Tribes and territories upgrade their water infrastructure for safe drinking water, to protect resources and create thousands of new jobs. These upgrades are possible with these State Revolving Funds and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“Our nation’s water infrastructure is in significant need of upgrades to support communities that rely on it day-in and day-out," EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox said in the release. "With this funding provided through annual appropriations, coupled with investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is providing $9.6 billion in the SRFs to deliver the benefits of water infrastructure investments to more communities — especially those that have long been overburdened by water challenges.”
According to Ben Grumbles, president of the Environmental Council of the States and Secretary of the Maryland Department of Environment, said the funds that will be made available through the loans will help the administration realize its goals on water infrastructure, the release reported.
"States are eager to put these annual Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to work in conjunction with the unprecedented funding provided for the SRFs under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and some states' use of American Rescue Plan funding for water infrastructure," Grumbles said in the release. "These combined funds will allow states to address critical infrastructure challenges and to support projects in communities across the country bringing significant public health and environmental benefits."
