The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of nearly $606,000 for Georgia through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. This funding is intended to help communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs, as safely managing stormwater is critical to preventing contaminants, including untreated sewage, from polluting waterways.
The grant funding is available to states to support projects in cities and towns that will strengthen their stormwater collection systems to be more resilient against increasingly intense rain events exacerbated by the climate crisis.
"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," said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. "Under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, EPA is making grant funds available for stormwater solutions."
Jeaneanne M. Gettle, Acting Region 4 Administrator added that sewer overflows can cause significant health and environmental problems in communities. The grant funding for stormwater and sewer upgrades will encourage better health for people and the environment.
The announcement comes under President Biden's Investing in America Agenda which aims at offering grant assistance at no cost to small and financially distressed communities.
These programs advance President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which sets a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Additional funding for stormwater and wastewater upgrades is available through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program.
