Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of nearly $41 million in funding through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. This initiative aims to assist communities in addressing stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs, particularly in light of increasingly intense rain events exacerbated by climate change.
EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water, Bruno Pigott, emphasized the importance of waterways for healthy communities. He said, "Our nation’s waterways are vital to healthy communities. They provide sources of drinking water, support farming, power economic opportunity, and give us opportunities to swim and to fish. Keeping our waterways clean and safe is essential, and stormwater runoff is one of the biggest pollution challenges facing our water ecosystems."
He further noted that under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, grant funds are being made available for stormwater solutions. These grants do not need to be repaid, making them particularly beneficial for disadvantaged communities seeking to protect their waterways.
When rain and floodwaters overwhelm sewer and stormwater systems, they can bypass treatment processes and transport pollution directly into creeks, streams, and rivers. This untreated discharge poses significant threats to human health, economic prosperity, and ecological function.
Through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law changes have been made to prioritize stormwater infrastructure projects in small or financially distressed communities. The law also prevents cost share requirements from being passed on to these communities.
Additional funding for stormwater and wastewater upgrades is available through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA loans.
These programs align with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which aims for 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal climate investments to flow towards disadvantaged communities overburdened by pollution.
Stormwater can collect various pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils, dirt/sediment which can contaminate nearby waterways. In combined sewers, stormwater can also contribute to sewer overflows during heavy storm events.
The EPA is collaborating with local and state partners to leverage federal resources to meet the needs of these communities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has modified the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program so that 25% of its funds go towards projects in small or financially distressed communities, limiting states’ abilities to pass on cost sharing burdens to these communities.
