Five states will receive millions of dollars in federal funding to address contaminants in their drinking water thanks to President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
According to a March 6 news release by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, $199,701,000 will be distributed to Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas to deal with emerging contaminants such as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.
“Too many American communities, especially those that are small, rural or underserved, are suffering from exposure to PFAS and other harmful contaminants in their drinking water,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in the release. “Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, we are investing in America and providing billions of dollars to strengthen our nation’s water infrastructure while safeguarding people’s health and boosting local economies. These grants build on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap and will help protect our smallest and most vulnerable communities from these persistent and dangerous chemicals.”
This is part of the EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program designed to protect public health and the environment in the smallest and most vulnerable communities, the release reported.
According to the release, Arkansas is to receive $18,914,000; Louisiana receives $26,300,000; New Mexico receives $18,914,000; Oklahoma receives $20,877,000; and Texas receives $114,696,000.
The BIL invests $5 billion over a five year period to help communities with PFAS contamination by reducing PFAs in drinking water, the release reported. The funds are part of $2 billion being sent to states and territories to prioritize infrastructure and source water treatments, while also conducting water quality tests.
Aside from the new grant, EPA is also proposing a PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation in coming weeks, which is designed to be an interagency review before being put out for public comment when it clears the Office of Management and Budget, according to the release.
The rule is expected to be finalized by the end of the year. In an effort to engage with the public, the PFAS work involves public webinars, stakeholder meetings, testimonies in congress and engaging with federal advisory committees of the EPA, the release reported. This is all part of the EPA’s work to protect the environment and public health from PFAS.
