U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $11.3 million award to the District of Columbia for water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure upgrades to expand clean water access.
The money comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Joe Biden in 2021, according to a Feb. 27 EPA news release.
"President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering an unprecedented investment in America that will revitalize essential water and wastewater infrastructure across the country," EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in the news release. "Not only will these funds expand access to clean water and safeguard the environment, but more underserved communities that have been left behind for far too long will be able to access them."
The District of Columbia funding is expected to to replace lead service lines and restore rivers and streams for the use and enjoyments of area residents and visitors, as well as correction of long-standing environmental justice and equity issues, according to the news release.
The funding will dovetail with Mayor Muriel Bowser's water infrastructure goals, the city's Department of Energy and Environment Interim Director Richard Jackson said, according to the news release.
"The District of Columbia is pleased to receive this funding through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law," Jackson said in the release. "These funds will help to meet Mayor Bowser's goal of restoring our rivers and streams so that they can be fully enjoyed by residents and visitors, as well as correct long standing environmental justice and equity issues, giving a fair shot to all of the District’s residents."
The money also will accelerate the replacement of lead service lines in the city, DC Water CEO and General Manager David L. Gadis said in the news release.
"Alongside, DOEE, we are committed to protecting our environment and ensuring our region is healthy, resilient and sustainable in the years and decades ahead," Gadis said in the release.
Almost half the funding will be pulled from the current fiscal year's Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which makes available grants or principal forgiveness loans to help underserved communities invest in water infrastructure, according to the news release. Subsequent projects also creating good-paying jobs in those communities.
Funding for the District of Columbia's water infrastructure is part of the $2.4 billion second wave of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In May 2022, EPA announced the first wave of $1.9 billion to states, Tribes and territories through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to support hundreds of water infrastructure projects nationwide, the release reported.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes $50 billion for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements through fiscal year 2026, the release said.
"EPA is committed to ensuring every community has access to this historic investment and has centralized increasing investment in disadvantaged communities within its implementation," the news release said. "This investment in water infrastructure is creating jobs while addressing key challenges, including climate change and emerging contaminants like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances."
Implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's provisions requires a "strong collaboration" between EPA and U.S. states, Tribes and territories "to ensure that communities see the full benefits of this investment," the news release said.
