The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $175,158 grant to the St. Charles Mesa Water District in Pueblo, Colorado, for the installation of a waterline aimed at protecting drinking water system infrastructure from wildfires and drought.
This funding is part of $25.5 million in nationwide grants through a new EPA program designed to support drinking water systems in underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities while mitigating the impacts of climate change. This marks the first time EPA is awarding funds under the Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program, with 16 initial recipients ranging from Connecticut to Alaska.
“Across the country, climate stress is often felt as water stress that can burden a community’s drinking water infrastructure,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator Bruno Pigott. “This new grant program, along with historic investments from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will strengthen our nation’s water infrastructure and protect public health.”
Environmental justice and equity are central to EPA’s programs. This initiative advances progress under President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative by investing in communities with historical environmental justice concerns. The grants will be awarded once legal and administrative requirements are met.
Other selected recipients include:
- Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska: $332,000 for generators to protect drinking water system infrastructure from flooding, earthquakes, and severe weather.
- Saint Paul Island City, Alaska: $4,651,170 for emergency generators and infrastructure updates to protect against earthquakes, blizzards, cyclones, and flooding.
- Antelope Valley-East Kern Water Agency, California: $559,760 for fuel trailers and a generator to safeguard against droughts and earthquakes.
- City of Fresno, California: $3,700,214 for replacing failing water pipes.
- Indian Wells Valley Water District Authority: $2,790,000 towards enhancing water supply efforts.
- Connecticut Department of Public Health: $556,000 for an emergency waterline and pumping station.
- City of Fargo: $5700 for constructing a well operating system against droughts.
- Public Water Supply District #8 of Platte County: $569955 for replacing aging mains.
- City of Waitsburg: $5700k to replace main lines against floods & wildfires
- Clarksburg Water Board West Virginia :$3868000k protecting systems from rising temperatures
- Executive Office Government Virgin Islands :$400000k data collection modeling efforts
- Dry Creek Rancheria Band Pomo Indians :$331769 computerized control improvements
- Newtok Village Alaska :$5255974 construction relocation efforts erosion floods
- Northern Cheyenne Tribe Montana:$57000 supporting upgrades natural hazards
- Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Washington:$60000 integrated resources management plan
Learn more about EPA's Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability grant program.
