The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of nearly $411,000 for Alabama through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program. This funding is aimed at helping communities address their stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs. The grant is part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, which seeks to provide financial assistance to small and financially distressed communities.
"Safely managing stormwater is critical to preventing contaminants, including untreated sewage, from polluting waterways," said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. "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."
Jeaneanne M. Gettle, Acting Region 4 Administrator, added that sewer overflows can cause significant health and environmental problems in communities. "This historic grant funding for stormwater and sewer upgrades will encourage and support better health for people and the environment," she said.
The grant program will prioritize stormwater infrastructure projects in rural or financially distressed communities. 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.
These programs are part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative which aims to ensure that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Stormwater can be a significant source of water pollution and a public health concern as it can collect various pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils, dirt/sediment, etc., which can then be conveyed into nearby waterways. The EPA is working with local and state partners to leverage federal resources to meet the needs of these communities.
