The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released guidelines for supporting water infrastructure investments funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in U.S. territories and Washington, D.C.
The District of Columbia and the U.S. territories have drinking water and wastewater infrastructure needs that will cost approximately $173 million to implement, according to an Aug. 26 EPA news release.
"Safe drinking water and reliable wastewater infrastructure are essential for the livelihood and economic vitality of communities everywhere," Rashida Fox, EPA assistant administrator for water, said in the release. “The EPA is committed to collaborating with D.C. and the territories to address their most pressing needs and maximize the impact of this unprecedented investment from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law."
The money will assist territories and Washington, D.C., in tackling severe water concerns, particularly in underprivileged neighborhoods and represents an important step forward in the implementation of President Biden's landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the release reported.
In the guidelines, the EPA outlines its policies and procedures for allocating $110 million to the Territories, which includes American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and $63 million to Washington, D.C., the release reported. This financing will enable D.C. and the territories to better comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act and safeguard the environment, as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
