In a recent news release, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands would receive more than $126,864,000 from the Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF) to upgrade wastewater and stormwater systems to safeguard public health and key bodies of water.
The funding is part of President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the release said. The EPA noted that New York will receive $83,628,000; New Jersey will receive $30,963,000; Puerto Rico will get $9,883,000 and the U.S. Virgin Islands will land $2,390,000.
"This major investment translates into replacing or repairing aging wastewater infrastructure, implementing water reuse and recycling, as well as addressing stormwater,” Lisa F. Garcia, EPA regional administrator, said in the release. “EPA is committed to getting these critical water resources to underserved and disadvantaged communities.”
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the funding as part of the Investing in America tour in North Carolina. The release noted that the investment demonstrates the Biden administration’s plan to boost wastewater and stormwater systems while also providing funds to target pollution and enhance energy and water efficiency.
"Too many communities across the country are facing challenges with water infrastructure – from climate impacts like drought vulnerability, to a lack of basic wastewater services that everyone deserves,” Regan said in the release. “This funding paired with this historic funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will support local economies while advancing projects in communities to help ensure clean, safe water for residents.”
Regan added that the Investing in America plan focuses on driving economic growth from the bottom up and building a stronger infrastructure to fuel growth in manufacturing, boosting good-paying jobs that don’t require college and a green economy to fight climate change.
"This investment reflects the Biden Administration’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s wastewater and stormwater systems, while providing significant resources for mitigating nonpoint source pollution and improving energy and water efficiency," the release said. "It also addresses key challenges, including climate change and emerging contaminants like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)."
The release also noted that CWSRFs have been a key driver for water infrastructure investment for more than three decades by offering low-cost financing options for projects in communities nationwide.
