The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $30.2 million (€28.6 million) to Puerto Rico from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure through this year’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).
The funding will support Puerto Rico communities in upgrading essential water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure that protects public health and water bodies.
“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering an unprecedented investment in America that will revitalise essential water and wastewater infrastructure across the country,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “Not only will these funds expand access to clean water and safeguard the environment, but more underserved communities that have been left behind for far too long will be able to access them.”
The Secretary for the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, Anais Vega Rodríguez, stated: “This historic EPA grant is an important additional step to improve the quality of our waters by allowing the management of a series of polluting sources and renewing deteriorated infrastructure.
“Likewise, projects like these are truly essential for environmental protection and contribute to the socioeconomic development of the impacted regions. The close collaboration between EPA and the DNER to solve specific problems will continue with another series of projects during the next years.”
Recent examples of the type of work being funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes the Puerto Rico government’s planned use of funds on the planning, design, and construction of eligible water quality improvement and protection projects in the five targeted municipalities.
The announcement is part of the $2.4 billion (€2.2 billion) announced as part of the second wave of funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to invest in America.
For more information, including state-by-state allocation of 2023 funding, and a breakdown of EPA CWSRF funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law visit epa.gov/cwsrf
US EPA announces clean water upgrades announced for Puerto Rico
