US EPA offers funding to improve water infrastructure

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made available $2.6 billion (€2.3 billion) in funding to improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure across the US.

“EPA is delivering on President Trump’s commitment to modernise our nation’s water infrastructure and improve public health and environmental protections,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.

“EPA’s $2.6 billion contribution to the State Revolving Funds will enable more communities to make the investments needed to ensure Americans have safe water for drinking and recreation. These funds can also be combined with EPA’s WIFIA loans to create a powerful, innovative financing solution for major infrastructure projects nationwide.”

According to estimates made by the EPA, more than $743 billion is needed to improve water infrastructure throughout the country.

To date, State Revolving Funds (SRFs) have helped to provide over $170 billion in financial assistance to more than 39,900 water quality infrastructure projects and 14,500 drinking water projects in the US.

The agency will also offer $1.6 billion in new federal grant funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which is available for infrastructure projects including modernising ageing wastewater infrastructure, implementing water reuse and recycling, as well as addressing stormwater.