The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled a $5.8 billion plan to bolster water infrastructure upgrades, courtesy of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This substantial sum forms part of an approximately $50 billion investment aimed at fortifying water projects that supply reliable drinking water to the public.
According to an EPA news release, Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced this new tranche of funds on Feb. 20. Almost half of this amount will be allocated through principal forgiveness loans or grants, with the objective of providing underserved communities with dependable drinking water and clean water infrastructure enhancements.
Harris stated, "Our administration made clean water a national priority and delivered the largest investment in America’s water infrastructure in history. Today, I am proud to announce more than $5.8 billion from our Investing in America agenda for states, Tribes, and territories to upgrade water infrastructure in communities across our nation. With this investment, we are continuing our urgent work to remove every lead pipe in the country and ensure that every American has access to safe and reliable drinking water."
Regan added, "President Biden’s Investing in America agenda continues to transform communities for the better with this latest infusion of funds for critical water infrastructure projects. With $50 billion in total, the largest investment in water infrastructure in our nation’s history, EPA will enable communities across the nation to ensure safer drinking water for their residents and rebuild vital clean water infrastructure to protect public health for decades to come."
The news release highlights that numerous regions across America are grappling with problems related to outdated water infrastructure such as deteriorating lead pipes supplying drinking water from wastewater treatment plants desperately needing repairs. Many areas set to benefit from this relief require updated infrastructure capable of addressing chemical substances known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), while others need stormwater improvements to mitigate flood risks.
