Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding over $7.3 million in grants to support four drinking water systems in underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities in California. These communities are facing challenges such as drought, wildfires, and other impacts of climate change. This marks the first time the EPA is providing funding under the Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program. The program has selected 16 recipients nationwide across nine states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Across California, the impact of climate change is often felt as water-related stress, with serious burdens placed on communities’ drinking water infrastructure,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “This new grant program, along with historic investments from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will strengthen our state’s water infrastructure and advance the goal of safe, available drinking water for all.”
Environmental justice and equity are central to EPA’s programs. This action advances progress under President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative by investing in communities with a legacy of environmental justice concerns. Through these grants, EPA aims to benefit underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities by supporting projects that address their specific needs.
The four selected recipients of the funding in California are:
- Antelope Valley-East Kern ($559,760) to install fuel trailers and a generator to protect drinking water system infrastructure from drought, earthquakes, and flooding.
- City of Fresno ($3,700,214) to replace failing water pipes to protect drinking water system infrastructure from drought.
- Indian Wells Valley ($2,790,000) towards water supply enhancement efforts to protect drinking water system infrastructure from drought, earthquakes, and climate change.
- Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians ($331,769) to support infrastructure and computerized control improvement projects to protect drinking water system infrastructure from wildfires.
This initiative is part of broader efforts established under America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018 aimed at improving drinking water quality and public health while bolstering economic growth through enhanced infrastructure investments.
Learn more about EPA’s Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability grant program.
###
