EPA Announces $6.5 Billion in New Funding for Water Infrastructure Support for wide range of projects in large and small communities In an address made during Drinking Water Week, Michael S. Regan, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator, announced that new funding is being made available under the agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program and state infrastructure financing authority WIFIA (SWIFIA) program. Monies will go toward critical water infrastructure projects in both large and small communities in the United States.
Investing in Infrastructure There are more than 2.2 million miles of underground pipes that make up America’s drinking water infrastructure system. As the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) points out, “the system is aging and underfunded. There is a water main break every two minutes, and an estimated 6 billion gallons of treated water are lost each day in the U.S., enough to fill over 9,000 swimming pools.” This is one of the many reasons water infrastructure earns a C- on the ASCE 2020 Report Card.
Water for drinking, washing clothes, flushing toilets, and bathing has long been taken for granted and the infrastructure that supports these and other uses needs the industry’s full attention. Funding for repairs and replacement has not kept pace with the growing need to address aging systems. The WIFIA and SWIFIA programs provide funds to accelerate investment in water infrastructure through innovative and flexible financing of long-term, low-cost supplemental loans. A recent EPA press release notes that the “WIFIA loan program has become one of the most effective tools used to upgrade the nation’s infrastructure. To date, EPA’s 49 WIFIA loans are providing over $9.3 billion in credit assistance to help finance nearly $20 billion for water infrastructure, while creating approximately 49,000 jobs and saving ratepayers over $4 billion.” The new funds will support water infrastructure projects and prioritizes five areas: S Supporting economically stressed communities.
4 June 2021 • Florida Water Resources Journal
S P rotecting water infrastructure against the impacts of climate change. S Reducing exposure to lead and addressing emerging contaminants. S Updating aging infrastructure. S Implementing new or innovative approaches, including cybersecurity and green infrastructure.
Part of the Plan The “EPA’s $6.5 billion in water infrastructure funding will provide more than $13 billion in water infrastructure projects, while creating more than 40,000 jobs,” Regan said during his announcement. He went on to explain that it “illustrates the multiple benefits of investing in water infrastructure—better public health, environmental protection, job creation, and economic development.” Funding will go to a wide range of projects, in addition to the existing active pipeline of WIFIA projects (76 projects in 25 states), including: S Drinking water treatment and distribution projects. S Wastewater conveyance and treatment projects. S Nonpoint source pollution management program. S Management, reduction, treatment, or recapture of stormwater. S National estuary program projects. S Enhanced energy efficiency projects at drinking water and wastewater facilities. S Desalination, aquifer recharge, alternative water supply, and water recycling projects. S Drought prevention, reduction, and mitigation projects. S
