The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Maryland $240,451,000 to support clean water efforts and to better deliver safe drinking water across the state. Most of this funding, $211,862,000, came from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) which is the largest federal investment in water infrastructure in our nation’s history. This BIL funding will supplement the $28,589,000 in FY 2023 funding appropriated to Maryland's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs).
EPA awards grants to states annually to capitalize the State Revolving Funds (SRFs) which provide low or no interest loans for water infrastructure projects. Maryland will use this money to help communities across the state fund necessary water projects that some borrowers may not have been able to afford otherwise.
“These awards show that EPA is not just a regulator – but is a funder and partner,” said EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ensures communities most in need and those grappling with emerging contaminants such as PFAS have access to funding that will deliver cleaner and safer water for generations to come.”
"Investments in our drinking water infrastructure will yield benefits to public health for generations to come," said Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain. "This historic funding provides the resources we need to modernize our drinking water and stormwater management systems. Safe drinking water and clean waterways are at the heart of what we do."
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivers more than $50 billion to EPA to improve our nation’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure - the single largest investment in water that the federal government has ever made. Learn more about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
For more information on intended projects for this funding in Maryland, please visit: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/water/WQFA
from EPA News Releases https://ift.tt/mlTPqub