The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday, March 31, 2023, announced over $126.86 million from the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act for states, Tribes, and territories through this year’s Clean Water State Revolving Funds for the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the states of New York and New Jersey. Photo: VIC

The funding will help communities upgrade essential wastewater and stormwater systems to protect public health and treasured water bodies across the nation, the EPA said.

“Too many communities across the country are facing challenges with water infrastructure – from climate impacts like drought vulnerability, to a lack of basic wastewater services that everyone deserves,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda is getting unprecedented investments in clean water to communities that need them most. This funding paired with this historic funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will support local economies while advancing projects in communities to help ensure clean, safe water for residents.”

“This major investment translates into replacing or repairing aging wastewater infrastructure, implementing water reuse and recycling, as well as addressing stormwater,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “EPA is committed to getting these critical water resources to underserved and disadvantaged communities.”

Allocations

EPA has announced the following:

New York will receive $83,628,000

New Jersey will receive $30,963,000

Puerto Rico will receive $9,883,000

US Virgin Islands will receive $2,390,000

Administrator Regan announced the funding as part of a $775 million investment on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America tour in Clayton, North Carolina with Congressman Wiley Nickel, highlighting the President’s historic funding for water infrastructure upgrades. President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is growing the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out – from rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom powered by good-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.

The announcement builds on the second wave of $2.4 billion EPA announced for clean water infrastructure upgrades through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in February. Over $3.2 billion will be provided to the CWSRF when combined with Fiscal Year 2023 funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This investment reflects the Biden Administration’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s wastewater and stormwater systems, while providing significant resources for mitigating nonpoint source pollution and improving energy and water efficiency. It also addresses key challenges, including climate change and emerging contaminants like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).