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Over the weekend, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared $3.6 billion in fresh funding as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) aimed at enhancing water infrastructure and ensuring community safety.
Puerto Rico is set to receive more than $67 million for enhancements to drinking water and wastewater systems – which includes nearly $25 million announced earlier this month in relation to the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements.
According to an EPA statement, this BIL funding will assist communities throughout the island in upgrading vital water infrastructure that is crucial for effectively managing wastewater, safeguarding local freshwater resources, and providing safe drinking water to households, educational institutions, and businesses.
The financing will be distributed through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF and DWSRF), a long-established collaboration between federal and state water funding. The projected multibillion-dollar financial support will facilitate state-led, low-interest loan schemes aimed at tackling significant obstacles related to water infrastructure financing.
The announcement features allocations for Puerto Rico’s BIL Clean Water General Supplemental funds amounting to $32.5 million, Emerging Contaminant funds reaching $2.8 million, and $7.6 million under the Drinking Water Emerging Contaminant Fund, per the statement.
To guarantee that investments are directed to communities in greatest need, the BIL stipulates that a significant portion of the announced funds must be allocated to disadvantaged communities through grants or non-repayable loans. The EPA is improving access for communities that have historically encountered challenges in securing federal funds through its Water Technical Assistance program, which aids disadvantaged communities in recognizing water issues, devising infrastructure upgrade strategies, and applying for financial assistance, the agency noted. Communities pursuing Water Technical Assistance can seek help by filling out the WaterTA request form. Additionally, these initiatives support the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims for 40% of the total benefits of certain federal investments to support marginalized communities that have suffered from underinvestment and are burdened by pollution.
“Water is essential to our health, nurtures vibrant communities and ecosystems, and fosters economic opportunity. When our water infrastructure is compromised, it jeopardizes individuals’ health, peace of mind, and the environment,” stated EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With this unprecedented investment in water from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is collaborating with states and local entities to enhance infrastructure and tackle local challenges — from addressing lead in drinking water, to PFAS [polyfluoroalkyl substances], to water main failures, to sewer overflows and climate resilience. Together, we are generating well-paying jobs while ensuring that everyone has access to clean and safe water.”
EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. García emphasized that the “Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to guaranteeing safe drinking water, providing resources needed for upgrading deteriorating infrastructure, and tackling harmful pollutants.”
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivers vital funding to our government partners in Puerto Rico to ensure water quality and mitigate pollution in our waterways,” she added.
