Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a community grant of $1.5 million and an Environmental Justice Government to Government Award of $539,452 to Santo Domingo Pueblo, totaling $2,039,452. The $1.5 million grant will fund planning and engineering design activities for improvements to the Domingo, Galisteo, and Main Village lift stations as part of the comprehensive Santo Domingo wastewater distribution system project. The $539,452 grant aims to educate residents on the dangers of open dumps and facilitate the removal of several open dumps within Tribal lands.
“This funding puts into action President Biden’s commitment to addressing clean water and environmental justice issues on Tribal lands,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “Santo Domingo Pueblo will use these grants to develop critical long-term wastewater management strategies and tackle local pollution issues affecting Tribal communities. We look forward to working with Santo Domingo Pueblo on these environmental issues.”
“Every person deserves access to clean and safe drinking water. Improving wastewater infrastructure and waste management is an important part of that. I’m proud to have secured over $2 million through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Appropriations process for the Santo Domingo Pueblo to build a wastewater treatment plant and remove open dump sites. This new investment will help leaders of the Pueblo address pollution, make their communities safer, and protect the health and well-being of families,” said U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“I’m proud to welcome this critical investment of more than $2 million to the Santo Domingo Pueblo to improve wastewater infrastructure throughout their community and help safeguard their environment. This funding will help clean up the land and help educate residents on how to better remove waste to keep their community safe,” said U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján. “Critically, I’m pleased that $1.5 million of this funding will be used to install an efficient wastewater system that will benefit the Santo Domingo Pueblo and the surrounding areas for generations to come.”
Santo Domingo Pueblo identified a need for a long-term efficient wastewater system across its lands. With this $1.5 million grant funding, the Pueblo plans to design a centralized wastewater treatment plant that will enhance infrastructure across its territory over an estimated 14-month project duration.
The Environmental Justice Government-to-Government grant will enable Santo Domingo Pueblo to clean up 11 non-hazardous waste open dump sites while conducting six free trash weeks, three tire amnesty events, and two open dump community workshops. Additionally, outreach efforts targeting 2,000 community members aim to ensure residents understand proper waste disposal methods and hazards associated with open dump sites such as soil and water contamination.
These grants align with objectives set in the EPA FY 2022-FY2026 Strategic Plan, ensuring underserved communities have access to clean drinking water while maintaining crucial water infrastructure.
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