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. President Biden, with bipartisan support from congress, is providing the single largest investment in water the federal government has ever made. 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.”
“Today’s action by the EPA is a great example of how the
bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make a real difference
in people’s lives by investing federal funds to create good-paying jobs and
protect safe drinking water for our children and working families,” said
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Recently, I signed an executive
directive readying Michigan to use the incoming resources as effectively as
possible, and I am proud to see that our federal partners are also prioritizing
investments in underserved communities. I look forward to working with the EPA,
the Michigan legislature, and anyone who wants to partner with us to replace
lead service lines statewide and ensure every parent can give their kid a glass
of water with confidence knowing that it is safe.”
“Everyone in Oregon deserves access to clean drinking water,
regardless of their income level or the zip code they live in,” said Oregon
Governor Kate Brown. “I’m very excited to see Administrator Regan and EPA
taking this next step to distribute water infrastructure funding to the
communities that need it most, with a shared vision that centers equity as we
work to deliver clean and safe drinking water to all Americans.”
“The Environmental Council of the States appreciates EPA's
engagement with the states in preparing their SRF Implementation Memo and looks
forward to working closely with EPA and others to ensure these critical funds
are delivered quickly and efficiently through flexible and targeted policies to
help provide clean and safe water for all,” said Maryland Department of
Environment Secretary and Environmental Council of the States President Ben
Grumbles.
“The SRF implementation memo is the first step in
distributing Bipartisan Infrastructure money to states and we appreciate EPA’s
engagement with the States throughout the memo development,” said Jim
McGoff, Indiana Finance Authority COO and Director of Environmental Programs
and Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities President. We
look forward to providing this money to communities throughout the nation to
improve our water and wastewater infrastructure.”
“The Rural Community Assistance Partnership commends the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for taking an important first step of
releasing timely guidance to state and local partners on how over $55 billion
in water investments through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be
implemented,” said Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) Interim CEO
Keith Ashby. “RCAP stands ready to work with EPA, states, and
non-governmental partners to ensure that small and rural disadvantaged
communities have equitable access to these historic investments in our nation’s
water infrastructure.”
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). EPA’s implementation memo provides
information and guidelines on how 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.
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.
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. 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.
The memo issued today follows a letter
from EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan to Governors in December of 2021,
encouraging states and Tribes to maximize the impact of water funding from the
law to address disproportionate environmental burdens in historically
disadvantaged communities across the country.
Working collaboratively, the SRF programs and EPA can make
progress towards Justice40, which aims to ensure that federal agencies deliver
at least 40% of benefits from certain investments to disadvantaged communities.
EPA will host national webinars on March 10, 2022, and March
16, 2022. To register visit https://www.epa.gov/dwsrf/forms/bil-implementation-memorandum-webinar.
For more information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure.
What They’re Saying
Congressional Members
Senator Tom Carper (DE), Chair, Senate Committee on
Environment and Public Works: “I am delighted to see EPA working to make sure
our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is implemented to help improve people’s
lives. Today’s step will help make sure everyone in America has access to
clean, safe, and reliable drinking water and wastewater. We know that
access to this essential infrastructure lifts up communities—today’s
announcement will bring healthier families, a stronger economy, and job
opportunities for years to come.”
Representative Peter A. DeFazio (OR), Chair, House
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: "The Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law is a once-in-a-generation investment in clean water
infrastructure that will have tremendous benefits for our communities,
enhancing both our public health and the health of our economy. I applaud the
EPA for quickly releasing Clean Water State Revolving Fund investments, and
prioritizing funding for communities that have struggled to afford critical
clean water upgrades, especially our rural, tribal, and economically
disadvantaged communities. Clean water is crucial to our quality of life and
should not vary depending on your zip code. Through the BIL, we are
finally delivering the investment our water infrastructure needs and Americans
deserve."
Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ), Chair, House
Committee on Energy and Commerce: “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
provided an historic and long overdue investment in our nation's water
infrastructure, and I commend the Biden EPA for working hard to ensure those
critical resources reach the communities that need them. Disadvantaged and underserved
communities have borne the burden of unsafe drinking water for far too long and
this action is a step toward righting that wrong,” said Chairman Frank Pallone,
Jr. “The State Revolving Fund has been a vital tool for addressing safe
drinking water challenges, including toxic PFAS and lead, and I'll keep working
with EPA to ensure it has the resources it needs so that every American can
trust the water coming out of their tap is safe.”
Representative Jim McGovern (MA): “No community in
America should have to struggle with access to water that is safe and
affordable – especially with the growing threat of dangerous chemicals like
PFAS. Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
will move us closer to making clean water for all a reality. I commend EPA for
their work to ensure that the largest clean water investment in our nation’s
history proves transformational for communities. Today’s actions to bolster the
State Revolving Fund programs are a critical start to that effort.”
Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL): “When I drafted the
water infrastructure provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the
intent was to provide resources for disadvantaged communities that have been
left behind for far too long. I’m so proud that the Biden administration and
EPA are delivering on this intent. With this announcement, we can finally get
to work making sure all communities can update their outdated water
infrastructure, and I look forward to continuing to work with the Biden
administration to put these dollars to work to do just that.”
Representative Grace F. Napolitano (CA): “We commend
EPA for quickly implementing this much needed funding from the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law. These programs were created and funded after incredible input
from communities, cities, states, tribes, and water agencies. We are proud that
the Biden administration and the Congress have worked together on a bipartisan
basis to respond to the needs of our communities with this announcement today.”
Representative Paul Tonko (NY): “For decades we have
known about the harmful and lasting impacts of unsafe drinking water. Yet, time
and again, the infrastructure needs of our communities went unaddressed. Now,
thanks to the historic federal investments provided in our Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law, we are taking that long overdue action to restore our
crumbling water systems and make sure no child drinks water from
lead-contaminated pipes. Today’s memo from EPA is a critical step toward
enabling state and local governments to access these transformational funds and
deliver support to our most vulnerable communities. I thank EPA for their
partnership and will continue pushing in Congress to deliver the resources
needed to ensure that every American has access to safe, clean water.”
Senator Ben Cardin (MD): “Every resident of every
community has a right to expect that the water coming from their tap is safe
and affordable to drink and dispose of. The action announced by EPA today is a
critically important step toward improving our aging drinking water,
wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure to protect public health,” said
Senator Cardin, Chair of the Senate EPW Transportation and Infrastructure
Subcommittee. “EPA’s collaborative approach helps ensure funds from the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act will future-proof water systems in Maryland and across
the nation to make water services more affordable for customers and more
resilient to the impacts of climate change.”
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH): “Updating water infrastructure
and expanding access to clean drinking water were key priorities I negotiated
in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I’m thrilled to see the administration
release guidance on how communities can best utilize the $55 billion allocated
through this law to bolster water infrastructure. This implementation memo will
help ensure critical funding reaches the most underserved communities,
including those at greatest risk of lead and PFAS contamination through water
supplies,” said Shaheen. “I’m pleased with the Biden administration’s hands-on
approach in engaging local communities to distribute these once-in-a-generation
investments, and I’ll continue working as a partner to the administration to
ensure the promise of this historic law becomes a reality.”
State Officials
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director
Misael Cabrera: “We commend EPA for its extensive outreach to states
associated with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The release of the
SRF Implementation Memo is the next step in the process of EPA getting
infrastructure dollars to states. We look forward to collaborating with Arizona
WIFA and EPA to put water and wastewater funds to work on Arizona
infrastructure projects.”
Connecticut Department of Public Health Public Health
Branch Chief and Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA)
President Lori J. Mathieu: “Today's release of EPA's BIL State Revolving
Fund Implementation Memorandum concerning drinking water infrastructure funding
is a critical first step toward investing this important funding in the
provision of safe drinking water and protecting public health. The BIL
funding represents a historic and unique opportunity to invest in the
sustainability of our nation's public drinking water supply systems. State
drinking water agency leadership, drinking water programs and Drinking Water
State Revolving Loan Fund programs are excited to work with EPA to move forward
with the provision of increased funding for drinking water
infrastructure. With a focus to address aging infrastructure, lead
service lines, and emerging contaminants, this funding support can assist to
address a variety of drinking water system issues. States look forward to
continuing their partnerships with EPA on increasing water infrastructure
funding where it's most needed, to focus on health equity and assist
disadvantaged communities. The release of the SRF Implementation
Memorandum is the first step of many to get the infrastructure dollars to
states and to public drinking water systems. We look forward to reviewing the
memorandum so that we can continue our important work in protecting public
health and ensuring the provision of safe drinking water.”
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Director Jess
Byrne: “The release of the SRF Implementation Memo is the first step in
getting infrastructure dollars to states. We look forward to working with
EPA to continue providing critical funds for water and wastewater
infrastructure projects in Idaho.”
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John
Kim: “The release of the SRF Implementation Memo is the first step in the
process of EPA getting infrastructure dollars to states, and we look forward to
reviewing the memo so that we can continue our work providing funds for water
and wastewater infrastructure projects in Illinois.”
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ)
Secretary Dr. Chuck Carr Brown: “LDEQ welcomes the announcement of EPA’s
continuing funding of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund in Louisiana. Clean
water is an invaluable resource. These funds enable water quality projects in
communities of need across our state and help those areas meet infrastructure
improvement goals and make sewer upgrades that will last a lifetime.”
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and
Energy Director Liesl Clark: “Surrounded by the Great Lakes ecosystem with
20% of the world's surface freshwater, Michiganders are passionate about
investing in drinking water infrastructure and ensuring clean water for our
many varied uses. This guidance will give clarity to EGLE and the legislature
on how to most efficiently and effectively get dollars into the hands of the
local communities to upgrade and maintain critical drinking water systems.”
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Katrina Kessler
Commissioner: “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law bolsters the strong
partnership between the federal and state governments to help communities
address the devastating impacts from climate change, protect our waters from
emerging contaminants like PFAS, and replace our aging water infrastructure
while ensuring those disproportionately impacted by pollution have safe,
reliable, clean water. Minnesota is ready to get to work and fully utilize
these new federal funds.”
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
Commissioner Robert R. Scott: “‘The release of the SRF Implementation Memo
is the first step in the process of EPA getting infrastructure dollars to
states and we are appreciative that this will now be available for review. We
look forward to working further with EPA to ensure that the greatest amount of
flexibility is provided to the states so that we may best meet our combined
goal of maximizing the benefit to water and wastewater infrastructure projects
in New Hampshire.”
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette: “The Garden State is accelerating its
work to grow good-paying jobs while improving drinking water and wastewater
infrastructure thanks to the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments
and the thoughtful support of the Biden-Harris Administration,” said Shawn M.
LaTourette, New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection and Co-Chair of
the Environmental Council of the States Infrastructure Workgroup. “EPA
Administrator Michael S. Regan, Assistant Administrator Radhika Fox, and their
EPA teams are moving quickly to deploy new investments where they are needed
most: removing lead and synthetic chemicals from the nation’s drinking water,
ensuring cleaner waterways free of untreated sewage, and securing our
infrastructure in the face of a changing climate—all with an unyielding focus
on equity and environmental justice. This unprecedented federal-state
partnership has been critical to the development of Governor Phil Murphy’s
Water Infrastructure Investment Plan and will benefit New Jersey residents,
their health and environment for generations to come.”
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Commissioner Basil Seggos: “Thanks to the hard work of President Biden and
our partners in the New York Congressional delegation, the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law will provide transformational clean water infrastructure
funding across the country. New York stands ready to expedite the deployment of
these critically needed resources to bolster the State’s robust investments and
help provide restorative equity for disadvantaged communities, which for too
long have suffered from disinvestment. Working hand-in-hand with our federal
partners, we can deliver dollars to communities across the state, improving
quality of life and addressing longstanding local needs.”
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation
President and CEO Maureen Coleman: “New York welcomes this unprecedented
investment in water and sewer infrastructure through the State Revolving
Funds. We applaud President Biden and our Congressional partners for
providing these financial resources to address New York’s environmental
infrastructure and prioritizing funding for communities most in need. The
economic and public health benefits of this investment will be realized on a
generational scale.”
Washington State Department of Ecology Director Laura
Watson: “Today, inequalities tied to race and income have created barriers
to accessing clean water for many communities in Washington and across America.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help us to bridge this gap and make
transformative investments in water quality where they are needed the most,”
said Watson. “With EPA’s partnership, we’re ready to put those funds to work
here in Washington state to provide clean water for all.”
Local Officials
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson: “We have a
significant opportunity to improve our water infrastructure, including
replacing lead service lines, thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,”
said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “I applaud the effort EPA is making to prioritize
equitable investment in water across the nation, and here at home in
Milwaukee.”
Baltimore City Department of Public Works Director Jason
Mitchell: “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a transformative
investment in our nation’s water infrastructure, but only if the funding is
distributed equitably,” said Jason W. Mitchell, Director of Baltimore City
Department of Public Works. “I applaud the effort EPA and Administrator Reagan
are making to advance essential water infrastructure investments across the
country, and especially here at home in Baltimore City.”
DC Water CEO and General Manager David Gaddis: “I
applaud EPA’s work to provide guidance on how to best direct the historic
amount of funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to disadvantaged
communities, and I look forward to working with Mayor Muriel Bowser and the EPA
to ensure equitable distribution to historically underinvested communities,” said
David Gaddis, CEO and General Manager of DC Water."
Louisville Metropolitan Sewage District CEO Tony Parrott:
“This is a historic opportunity to address critical repairs to wastewater,
stormwater and flood protection systems, but ensuring the environmental justice
envisioned will require clear direction from the EPA to provide states
flexibility,” said Tony Parrott, Executive Director of Louisville MSD, whose
community has a majority of households at or below the federal poverty line.
“For disadvantaged communities, principal forgiveness or grants, not just
low-interest loans, are needed to make these vital repairs, and by doing so,
lift and help restore these communities. Done right, this type of investment
will create jobs and safeguard infrastructure for generations to come.”
New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board Executive Director
Ghassan Korban: “We applaud EPA’s leadership in prioritizing historically
disadvantaged communities for funding available through the bipartisan
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said Ghassan Korban, Executive
Director of The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans. “We look forward to
working with Governor Edwards to ensure this funding goes to the communities
that need it most.”
Seattle Public Utilities Interim General Manager and CEO
Andrew Lee: “Our nation’s water infrastructure protects human and
environmental health, and we appreciate the increased partnership between EPA
and local utilities under the new law. This new funding allows for
increased investment in every community in the country,” said Andrew Lee,
Interim General Manager of Seattle Public Utilities. “People in rural
areas, urban areas and everywhere in between all deserve reliable services at
rates they can afford. We support EPA’s work to prioritize these
water investments that benefit everyone, especially underserved
customers."
Labor Leaders
Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA)
General President Terry O’Sullivan: “The hard-working men and women of
LIUNA, who build our nation's water infrastructure, applaud both President
Biden and the EPA's leadership on the implementation of history-making
investments in clean and safe drinking water with strong commitments to ensure
that workers doing this vital work are able to join unions and earn good,
family-supporting pay.”
International Union of Operating Engineers General
President James T. Callahan: “The Operating Engineers applaud the work of
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to leverage the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law’s dramatic water investments to support local communities.
The EPA streamlines approval processes, provides flexibility to support local
needs, prioritizes replacing lead drinking water pipes, and emphasizes
investments in disadvantaged communities. The EPA’s emphasis on flexibility and
innovation to prioritize projects within communities where they are most needed
and will have immediate impact is right on target. Providing safe drinking
water by ridding our nation of lead service lines and reducing contaminated wastewater
discharges is critical as the agency works to deliver on the single largest
investment in clean water that the federal government has ever made -- $50
billion! The Operating Engineers look forward to partnering with EPA, state
agencies, and local utilities to train and grow the workforce necessary to make
these projects a success. The investment comes not a moment too soon. We have a
lot of work to do. Let’s get started!”
North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) General
President Sean McGarvey: “North America’s Building Trades Unions’ and its
affiliated unions applaud the Administration’s action to improve water quality
and address the risks posed to families across this country by dangerous
contaminants. We look forward to working hand in hand with communities to
utilize these dollars under the State Revolving Funds to rebuild our
infrastructure and create more pathways to the middle class through the
unionized construction industry.”
United Association General President Mark McManus:
“Today’s implementation memorandum for state revolving funds will ensure that
funding for water infrastructure as outlined in the Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law will not only be used to modernize water systems and to protect clean
drinking water but that it will create good-paying jobs in the process,” said
McManus. “The strong labor protections attached, like the use of Davis-Bacon
prevailing wage provisions, will ensure working families like ours can earn
fair wages and benefits on these projects.”
United Association Director of Plumbing Services Tom
Bigley: “This funding will have direct impacts on millions of Americans as
we modernize our water infrastructure and ensure all communities have access to
clean water free from lead and emerging contaminants,” said Bigley. “When it
comes to protecting the health of the nation – whether through delivering clean
water, replacing lead lines, or expanding access for disadvantaged communities
– no one is better equipped than the skilled members of the United
Association.”
International Association of Bridge, Structural,
Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers: “The International Association of
Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers welcomes the
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) newly released implementation memo on
water infrastructure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Our
nation’s crumbling infrastructure has impacted our nation’s health and
environment for years. EPA’s memo charts a path for State Revolving Funds
(SRFs) to fix our water infrastructure while creating good union jobs. This is
the first time EPA has addressed quality jobs and collective bargaining in its
recommendations to state revolving funds, and it reinforces the Biden
Administration’s commitment to empowering workers. The White House Task Force
on Worker Organizing and Empowerment’s report highlighted EPA water programs’
potential to help labor, and it is good to see the agency acting on the task
force’s recommendation. This whole-of-government support for American workers
is unprecedented. Our union’s 128,000 members look forward to working with EPA
and SRFs to get these infrastructure projects built on time and under budget.”
Community and Environmental Leaders
Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice
Founder Catherine Coleman Flowers:
“I am thrilled about EPA’s prioritization of underserved
communities like those in Lowndes County, Alabama, and across the country.
EPA’s new infrastructure implementation memorandum is an example of what real
leadership looks like between government and communities who have waited far
too long with unsafe water infrastructure and sanitation. Now let’s get to
work.”
Earthjustice Legislative Counsel Julian Gonzalez:
"Earthjustice applauds EPA for issuing important and timely guidance. The
billions of dollars provided by Congress for water infrastructure in the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act must be distributed as equitably as
possible. We must ensure that communities of color and low-income communities
who carry the heaviest pollution burdens receive these funds. EPA's guidance
contains important steps toward that goal like ensuring that grant funding is
for disadvantaged communities and prohibiting partial lead service line
replacement. We look forward to working with EPA, states, and tribes on
building more resilient infrastructure in disinvested communities."
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Senior Strategic
Director for Health Erik D. Olson: “Every person has a right to safe water
from source to tap, no matter what neighborhood they call home. This plan
targets funding and technical assistance to disadvantaged communities that do
not have access to safe, affordable water and sanitation. The agency’s commitment
to ban funding for dangerous partial lead pipe removals that leave some lead
pipe in the ground also will provide crucial health protection. The details of
EPA’s implementation plan will be critical, but what we know of the agency’s
new direction is highly encouraging and could be a game-changer.”
League of Conservation Voters Deputy Legislative Director
Madeline Foote: “We applaud the EPA’s efforts to direct historic
investments in our water infrastructure to the communities who need them most
-- low-income communities and communities of color who have borne a
disproportionate share of the pollution burden,” said Madeleine Foote, Deputy
Legislative Director at the League of Conservation Voters. “Every family
deserves clean water, and these critical investments will go a long way toward
achieving this goal while eliminating lead from our drinking water, tackling
the growing PFAS crisis, creating good jobs, and making sure our water systems
are resilient to the impacts of climate change. With this directive, the
Biden-Harris administration is taking another key step towards delivering on
their Justice40 commitments, and we look forward to continuing to work with
them to safeguard our waterways and ensure clean water for all.”
Clean Water Action National Campaigns Director Lynn
Thorp: “Clean Water Action applauds EPA’s leadership to ensure effective
and equitable programs to spend the transformational investments made possible
by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The SRF
Implementation Memo includes a much-needed framework and further guidance to
States on important topics, including modernizing definitions of “disadvantaged
communities,” prioritizing technical assistance, not using funds for partial
lead service line replacement, and prioritizing climate mitigation and
adaptation projects. These key points are examples of the leadership we need to
build toward a truly equitable and effective “infrastructure decade.”
National Wildlife Federation Vice President of
Environmental Justice, Climate, and Community Revitalization Mustafa Santiago
Ali: “Access to clean water is fundamental. The funding in the bipartisan
infrastructure law will go a long way towards addressing the nation’s water
infrastructure challenges, including replacing lead service lines, upgrading
treatment plants, and protecting water quality. The administration’s visionary
commitment encourages projects that incorporate natural systems, supports
“future-proofed” designs that anticipate extreme weather driven by climate change,
and ensures equitable access by making nearly half the funding available as
grants or forgivable loans. We look forward to working with EPA, states, and
tribal nations to maximize on the ground impacts by ensuring that resources
reach the communities in greatest need, as this historic funding is turned into
projects that benefit people and wildlife.”
PolicyLink Director of Water Equity and Climate
Resilience Dr. Yasmin Zaerpoor: “The $50 billion of water provisions
included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can help to ensure water security
for disinvested communities who have historically lacked access to clean,
affordable water infrastructure due to systems failure and exclusion from
policymaking processes and to better prepare them for the realities of a
changing climate. We applaud the EPA’s efforts in making sure we get the
implementation of the BIL right, by mandating that 49% of the State Revolving
Funds goes to disadvantaged communities as grants and forgiveness loans, and
that future SRF funding also reaches the most overburdened communities, by
encouraging states to revisit their definitions of disadvantaged communities
and their affordability criteria. It’s now up to individual states to make sure
that this funding reaches the communities that need it the most.”
Sierra Club Deputy Director of Policy, Advocacy and Legal
Dalal Aboulhosn: "The Sierra Club applauds the Biden Administration
for rapidly deploying funds to better safeguard the drinking water for millions
of Americans. By mandating the funds prioritize the communities that have been
deprived of clean, safe drinking water and replacing every lead pipe, President
Biden is finally beginning to right these criminal injustices. We look forward
to continuing working with the administration to ensure every single American
has access to clean and safe water."
BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director Jason Walsh: “Access
to safe drinking water is a basic necessity that our nation has failed to
provide to too many communities for too long. With today’s guidance, the EPA
has rightly prioritized getting lead service lines out of our water systems,
investing in the health and safety of disadvantaged communities, and ensuring
that workers—both at the job site and down the supply chain—see maximum economic
benefits from this historic investment.”
GreenLatinos Founding President and CEO Mark Magaña: “GreenLatinos
believes that everyone should have access to clean, healthy and affordable
water, and we know historically that some communities have not had access to
this fundamental human right.” Mariana Del Valle Prieto Cervantes, Water
Equity and Ocean Program Director with GreenLatinos said “We applaud EPA on
their State Revolving Funds Implementation Memorandum- their efforts to ensure
that investments get to the communities that need it the most and building
capacity to assist local communities is a great first step to improving our
nation's drinking water and wastewater systems. Communities have needed more
support and investments towards our water. The SRF programs over the next five
years will provide this long-awaited support which will require close
collaboration with EPA, states, and local communities. We look forward to
supporting and helping to implement it.”
We the People of Detroit President and CEO Monica
Lewis-Patrick: “Over the last ten years, Americans have seen their water
bills increase by over 30% percent, exceeding the EPA recommendation of 3.5% of
monthly household income toward water utilities. We the People of Detroit
applauds the White House and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for lifting
the lived experiences of underserved and marginalized communities. By making
funding opportunities more accessible through grants and forgivable loans,
critical remediation efforts seem more attainable, and citizens are better
equipped to hold state governments to task for the realization of change in our
beloved communities.”
Community Water Center Executive Director and Co-Founder
Susana De Anda: "For too long, rural communities have not been able to
access lasting solutions for their drinking water challenges. USEPA is
finally ensuring that funding is guaranteed to communities who need it the
most, such as the many farmworker communities in California's Central Valley
who continue to be denied their human right to water."
Freshwater Future Executive Director Jill Ryan: “Freshwater
Future is very supportive of the approach the U.S. EPA is taking to implement
infrastructure funding from Congress by prioritizing that 49% of funds must go
to disadvantaged communities, ensuring funds are available for technical
assistance and addressing emerging contaminants, these will be effective steps
to protect human health and address water concerns. We have seen the
difficulties that city and rural communities across the Great Lakes region have
faced to address water safety and contamination, and we believe these State
Revolving Fund loans and grants are essential for updating water infrastructure
and protecting public health in traditionally disadvantaged communities.”
Alliance for the Great Lakes Policy Director for Clean
Water & Equity Anna-Lisa Castle: "The Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law represents a significant investment in fixing our nation’s failing water
and wastewater systems over the next five years, starting with the communities
most in need. In the past, water infrastructure funding has not always
reached those that need it most, which has meant deferred action to replace
toxic lead service lines and rising water bills. We applaud US EPA’s efforts to
direct infrastructure funding to historically disinvested communities and
require full lead service line replacement as quickly as possible."
Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability
Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director Veronica Garibay: “As a result of
decades of disinvestment, too many communities of color and low-income
households we work alongside in California's San Joaquin and East
Coachella Valleys lack access to safe and affordable drinking water and
wastewater infrastructure. We are encouraged that U.S. EPA is
proposing to begin to address these inequities by funding technical assistance,
and by committing at least 49% of supplemental drinking water and clean water
funding to disadvantaged communities. We look forward to continuing to review the
details of these proposals.”
Water Foundation Program Officer Alesandra Nájera: “The
new guidance released this week on SRF implementation promises an important new
commitment to equity in our federal water infrastructure investments. We
applaud the initial efforts of the EPA to improve collaboration and community
engagement in developing this guidance, and we look forward to partnering with
this Administration to ensure historically excluded communities secure their
human right to water.”
River Network Drinking Water Program Director Sheyda
Esnaashari: “As advocates for access to clean, safe and affordable water
for all communities, we’re encouraged by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and
the historic funding it allocates to the largest source of funding for water
infrastructure – the State Revolving Funds (SRFs), and the targeted measures
put in place to ensure funding reaches communities most in need. These funds
are essential for protecting water access from source to tap, and ensuring
healthy rivers and communities. Unfortunately, many communities have
experienced ongoing disinvestment and difficulty accessing funding from the SRF
program, leading to unsafe and unaffordable water as their water utilities
struggle to manage and maintain necessary infrastructure. We believe the
additional guidance and ongoing support from the EPA in the administration of
this funding is a step in the right direction toward ensuring communities most
in need are able to equitably maintain resilient water infrastructure and
protect their most vital natural resource – their water.”
Georgetown Climate Center Adaptation Program Director
Mark Rupp: “Disadvantaged communities are affected first and worst by the
impacts of climate change, so today’s implementation memorandum is particularly
welcome news, setting the stage for making the case for states to be true
partners with federal agencies to ensure these communities are supported and
lifted up. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law offers state, local and tribal
governments numerous opportunities to plan, design and implement adaptation
strategies to build climate resilience across America. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s State Revolving Funds are an integral piece
of this strategy, affording states broad flexibility to, among other things,
ensure community water systems can withstand extreme weather events and other
disasters as well as invest in conservation plans.”
Southern Environmental Law Center Senior Attorney and
Water Program Leader Geoff Gisler: “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s
investment in water infrastructure may be a historic step toward addressing
environmental justice issues, but only if we focus the investment in the
communities that need it most,” said Gisler. “We look forward to working with
EPA on implementing equitable investment in water infrastructure across the
nation.”
DigDeep Founder & CEO George McGraw: "As an
organization dedicated to bringing taps and toilets to the more than 2.2
million Americans without them, DigDeep is very encouraged by the EPA's
ambitious priorities for BIL implementation. EPA is fighting for disadvantaged
communities by mandating historical levels of grant funding through SRFs and
investing in innovative new programs for pressing needs, such as decentralized
wastewater. Taken together, these investments will help marginalized Americans
finally enjoy the same basic water and wastewater service many already take for
granted."
Water Associations
National Rural Water Association (NRWA) CEO Matt Holmes:
“On behalf of all small and rural communities in the country, the National
Rural Water Association is very appreciative of the Environmental Protection
Agency’s guidance on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through the SRF
Implementation Memorandum. This legislation will be remembered as one of the
nation’s most significant public drinking water and wastewater investments,
especially in rural America. Small and rural communities need this help
because they often have more difficulty affording public drinking water and
wastewater service and complying with federal regulations due to low population
density, lack of technical capacity and lack of economies of scale. NRWA
looks forward to working with the EPA and our state government partners to help
ensure the funding is quickly delivered to local communities' most pressing
safe drinking water and clean wastewater projects.”
Association of State Drinking Water Administrators
(ASDWA) Executive Director Alan Roberson: “The heads of the drinking water
and SRF programs are looking forward to continuing their partnerships with
EPA on increasing water infrastructure funding where it's most needed and
improving public health. The release of the SRF Implementation Memorandum
is the first step of many to get the infrastructure dollars to states and water
systems. We look forward to reviewing the memorandum so that we can continue
our work in helping states to provide increased funding for water
infrastructure improvements.”
National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) CEO
Adam Krantz: “NACWA applauds EPA for the timely release of its
implementation guidance for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation (BIL),”
said Krantz “The EPA did an excellent job listening to concerns about the BIL’s
implementation challenges and the guidance demonstrates a commitment to
maximize the BIL’s historic investment in our nation’s water infrastructure,
especially for disadvantaged and underserved communities. NACWA was pleased to
help secure the BIL’s passage, and its member utilities will, with this guidance
in hand, do everything we can in partnership with the states and EPA to ensure
BIL funds are used to make our Nation’s communities more resilient and
environmentally sustainable. NACWA looks forward to continued
collaboration with EPA to successfully implement the BIL.”
Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) CEO
Diane VanDe Hei: “Last year AMWA was proud to support passage of the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and its landmark investments in drinking water
infrastructure. Today, we applaud EPA for issuing its Implementation Memorandum
to guide how states and communities can put these funds to work addressing
priorities like the replacement of lead service lines, remediating PFAS and
other emerging contaminants, and building resilience to a range of threats. We
look forward to working with EPA and states to ensure the BIL dollars are
distributed in a manner that maximizes benefits to low-income ratepayers in
communities across the country.”
US Water Alliance CEO Mami Hara: “The
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be a transformative investment in our
nation’s water infrastructure, but only if the funding is distributed
equitably. I am excited to see EPA take the important step of releasing
direction to state and local partners on how this funding will be implemented,
and I look forward to staying engaged with EPA through our Equitable
Infrastructure Initiative.”
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Executive
Director Tom Smith: “This historic federal investment in water systems will
help jumpstart improvements to aging pipes and water treatment plants, make
water systems more resilient for communities, help utilities take advantage of
the latest technology and engineering innovations, and begin the important task
of removing dangerous lead service lines. ASCE commends this new comprehensive
guidance from EPA that makes the process straightforward and transparent to
help ensure a wide range of critical projects are brought forward for consideration
from communities of all sizes.”
American Water Works Association (AWWA) CEO David
LaFrance: “The Bipartisan Infrastructure represents a monumental step
forward in confronting our nation’s water infrastructure challenges, and the
American Water Works Association looks forward to sharing EPA’s SRF
Implementation Memo with its members. AWWA is committed to collaborating with
EPA and states to ensure U.S. water utilities of all sizes – and particularly
those serving disadvantaged communities – understand how to efficiently access
the funds to address lead, PFAS and other pressing infrastructure needs. AWWA’s
2012 Buried No Longer report showed the nation would need to invest more than
$1 trillion over 25 years just to repair and expand existing drinking water
infrastructure. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a significant federal
commitment in assuring our water systems remain safe and reliable for future
generations.”
Water Environment Federation (WEF) Executive
Director Walt Marlowe: “The Water Environment Federation supports the
progress EPA is making to release the funding for water infrastructure from the
Infrastructure Investment & Job Act. EPA’s efforts to communicate with
stakeholders has been much appreciated by the water sector. WEF and its members
have advocated to Congress and federal policymakers for many years for
increased funding for the nation’s wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
EPA’s release of the guidance memo brings us one critical step closer to that
funding being a reality. Helping communities invest in water infrastructure,
particularly in underserved parts of America, is a WEF priority, and this
funding is desperately needed to help accomplish that goal.”
California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) Executive
Director Adam Link: “The California Association of Sanitation Agencies
(CASA) is encouraged by USEPA's approach to delivering assistance to local
water and wastewater agencies, and we appreciate their support for investments
that improve water quality and protect public health for all communities. The
SRF program is the backbone of a strong federal, state and local partnership,
and this funding is critical to meeting our future water infrastructure needs.”
Background
President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on
Monday, November 15, 2021. This is a big and bold investment in our nation’s
infrastructure, including a historic $60 billion investment in key programs and
initiatives implemented by EPA to build safer, healthier, cleaner communities.
This critical funding means that more Superfund sites will be cleaned up
faster; blighted and polluted sites across America will be redeveloped to
contribute to local economies once again; the nation’s school bus fleet will be
made cleaner; and people will be put to work revitalizing aging water
infrastructure in communities throughout the country.
In December 2021, EPA announced estimated SRF funding
allotments to states, Tribes, and territories for 2022 through the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law. This funding, provided through EPA’s SRF programs, will
create jobs while upgrading America’s aging water infrastructure and addressing
key challenges like lead in drinking water and PFAS contamination. For decades,
the SRFs have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments,
providing low-cost financing for local projects across America. EPA, states,
Tribes, and territories have successfully worked together to invest more than
$200 billion in SRF funds since 1988.
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