Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $28,424,000 to Connecticut from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure through this year's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The funding will support Connecticut communities in upgrading essential water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies. Nearly half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans helping underserved communities across America invest in water infrastructure, while creating good-paying jobs.
"President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering an unprecedented investment in America that will revitalize essential water and wastewater infrastructure across the country," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "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 historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is funding critical water infrastructure projects across New England, especially in places that have been historically underserved," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Every community should know that their wastewater services are keeping the environment healthy and supporting the lives of people living nearby. We are proud to work with states, Tribes, and communities in making these unprecedented investments."
"Millions of dollars in new federal clean water act funding will make our waters safer and our environment cleaner. Connecticut has mounting, critical needs for improving the quality of our waters, including sewer treatment facility upgrades to prevent the discharge of dangerous pollutants into our rivers and lakes. This funding will help Connecticut fund vital projects," said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.
"We need strong water infrastructure to keep our communities healthy and our coastline resilient. This investment from the Biden administration, thanks to federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is an important step toward making sure every person in Connecticut has access to the clean water they deserve," said U.S. Senator Christopher Murphy.
"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to make historic infrastructure investments that will strengthen our economy, support our families, and address challenges in our local water infrastructure," said U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. "This funding will help ensure Connecticut has proper water infrastructure in place to prevent flooding, protect public health, and secure our waterways. This is about keeping our neighborhoods sustainable, enhancing climate resiliency, and protecting the people who call these communities home."
"This funding we secured in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is an investment in healthier communities," said U.S. Congressman John B. Larson. "We need to protect access to clean water, preserve freshwater sources, and modernize wastewater treatment in every town and city in our state. $28.4 million will go a long way to advance those goals, ensuring families can trust that the water they use every day is safe. It is critical that the most vulnerable communities in our state have access to these funds to address their most urgent water infrastructure challenges. I will continue to work with state and local governments to help ensure the resilience of these communities."
"Protecting eastern Connecticut's clean water sources against pollution and contamination is one of the most important things we need to be focused on when it comes to upgrading our aging infrastructure," said U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney. "We made sure the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act targeted resources straight towards bolstering our region's water infrastructure when we passed the bill last year, and that's exactly what today's funding is going to do. Strengthening our wastewater, stormwater, and other critical water infrastructure is essential to our quality of life and to economic growth, and this federal IIJA funding is what's going to give our towns the ability to finally start getting that important work done."
"The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act made a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation's infrastructure, and I'm pleased to see Connecticut benefiting from these federal funds," said U.S. Congressman Jim Himes. "With resources for revitalizing our state's sewer systems, building flood-resilient infrastructure, and reducing water pollution in the Long Island Sound, this funding will create jobs and make our communities even better places to live."
"Funding water infrastructure is a long-term investment in keeping communities safe and healthy. I am thrilled to see the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continue to deliver for Connecticut families and provide over $24 million to fund clean water infrastructure upgrades across the state. These improvements will ensure communities are protected and have access to safe, clean water for generations to come," said U.S. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes.
This new influx of funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) will increase monies available for communities to undertake wastewater infrastructure upgrades in Connecticut. Project awards are made by state evaluators to ensure they are targeted to the most needed areas. The first year of BIL funding includes projects in Meriden and Norwich which are anticipated for assistance through SRF BIL funding from the state's SRF programs.
Today's announcement is part of the $2.4 billion announced as part of the second wave of funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and builds on the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to invest in America. In May 2022, EPA announced the initial allotment of $1.9 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to states, Tribes and territories through the CWSRF. That money is supporting hundreds of critical water infrastructure projects around the country.
President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes over $50 billion available for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements across the country between FY2022 and FY2026. EPA is committed to ensuring every community has access to this historic investment and has centralized increasing investment in disadvantaged communities within its implementation. This investment in water infrastructure is creating jobs while addressing key challenges, including climate change and emerging contaminants like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law calls for strong collaboration, and EPA continues to work in partnership with states, Tribes, and territories to ensure that communities see the full benefits of this investment.
In addition to today's announcement, the 2023 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund allocations and program updates are forthcoming, pending the release of the seventh Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. EPA anticipates releasing the information in the coming weeks.
More information:
The CWSRFs have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments for more than 30 years, providing low-cost financing for local projects across America. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law presents the largest ever funding opportunity for investing in water infrastructure. Find state-by-state allocation of 2023 funding, and a breakdown of EPA CWSRF funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at: https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure law provides EPA with more than $60 billion over five years for a wide range of environmental programs that will bring much-needed funding to America's water infrastructure, environmental cleanups, and clean air protections, while also advancing environmental justice and combatting climate change. Find out more about Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs and how EPA is working with communities at https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure.
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