EPA Provides Money for Clean Water, Drinking Water Projects

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides significant funding for states to finance high priority infrastructure projects needed to ensure clean water and safe drinking water. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, received $4 billion, including funds for Water Quality Management Planning Grants. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program received $2 billion. EPA is making Recovery Act grants to states and Puerto Rico to capitalize their State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs, from which assistance is provided to finance eligible high priority water infrastructure projects. The states will set priorities based on public health and environmental factors, in addition to readiness to proceed to construction, and identify which projects will receive funding. States must provide at least 20% of their grants for green projects, including green infrastructure, energy or water efficiency, and environmentally innovative activities. Last week, EPA and the Department of Health and Human Service's announced $90 million in Recovery Act funds for improved access to vital drinking water and wastewater services in the American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The funds will be invested in 'shovel ready' infrastructure projects designed to better protect human and environmental health in Indian Country and to create jobs. For more information, click here, http://www.epa.gov/water/eparecovery/