EPA to Maximize Funds to Underserved Communities
EPA Releases New Memo Outlining Strategy to Equitably Deliver Clean Water to Disadvantaged Communities Through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
WASHINGTON (March 8, 2022) – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a memorandum to guide collaborative implementation with state, local, and Tribal partners of $43 billion in water infrastructure funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The EPA’s memo is a key implementation step that outlines requirements and recommendations for the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) to ensure the country is working together to deliver clean and safe water and replace lead pipes for all Americans, especially disadvantaged communities.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s investment in clean water is nothing short of transformational,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “EPA and its state, local, and Tribal partners have an obligation to work together and maximize the impact of these funds in communities, especially disadvantaged communities. Water is essential, and this action will help ensure that every American can rely on safe drinking water and have access to wastewater management that protects health and the environment.”
The majority of water infrastructure funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—$43 billion—will flow through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs). The EPA’s implementation memo provides information and guidelines on how the EPA will award and administer supplemental SRF Capitalization Grants through the law, including for the general drinking water and clean water SRF programs and funding that will be dedicated to removing lead service lines and addressing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants.
The EPA’s implementation memo highlights the flexibility provided to states and borrowers to address a wide variety of local water quality and public health challenges. SRF funding through the Law can be used in combination with additional funding sources to finance water infrastructure projects that meet the most pressing local needs. The memo also underscores provisions included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to ensure that disadvantaged communities fully benefit from these historic investments in the water sector. Additionally, the memo specifies strategies for making rapid progress on lead service line replacement and addressing PFAS and other emerging contaminants.
The EPA will be working with state co-regulators, Tribal partners, and stakeholders on next steps. The agency will provide training and technical assistance to support the development of intended use plans that identify priority projects for SRF funding. The EPA intends to review these plans aligned with the requirements and recommendations of the implementation memo with the goal of expeditiously investing in communities across the country.
For more information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure.