Biden-Harris Administration announces more than $200 Million for Pennsylvania drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure upgrades as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda
Publilshed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
PHILADELPHIA (Feb. 20, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $200 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Pennsylvania drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. The funding is part of the over $50 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the largest such investment in American history. Today’s announcement will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state. Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure.
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda continues to transform communities for the better with this latest infusion of funds for critical water infrastructure projects,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With $50 billion in total, the largest investment in water infrastructure in our nation’s history, EPA will enable communities across the nation to ensure safer drinking water for their residents and rebuild vital clean water infrastructure to protect public health for decades to come.”
“Since 2022, funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has enabled EPA to distribute more than $2 billion across the mid-Atlantic region to spur new and necessary investments in water quality,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “Thanks to this historic funding, more communities will receive the clean and safe drinking water that every American deserves.”
“Across our Commonwealth, too many communities are struggling to fix leaking pipes and aging infrastructure that stand in the way of bringing clean water to Pennsylvania families,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “With this funding from the Biden Administration, we will be able to continue making critical investments in our infrastructure in order to build a better future for our communities. Together, we can ensure access to clean water and uphold Pennsylvanians’ Constitutional right to clean air, pure water, and a healthy environment.”
“Upwards of 37 public schools in Western Pennsylvania have lead contamination in their water. I came to Congress to represent the Black, brown, and poor communities that have been deemed as “sacrifice zones” for polluters. Generations of folks in communities like mine have grown up in and are now raising children in zip codes that have water funneled through lead pipes next to rivers and streams too polluted to swim in. That’s why earlier this year, we secured $84.5 million to remove lead water lines, and are continuing to fight for environmental justice” said Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12). “I’m proud to work with the Biden Administration to bring home an additional $99 million for clean water and $75 million for clean drinking water from the Environmental Protection Agency to Pennsylvania–which will mean less kids getting sick and more families having the security of knowing their environment isn’t posing an imminent threat to their health.”
“Exposure to any level of lead puts everyone, especially kids, at risk,” said Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17). “I am so glad I can help deliver millions from President Biden’s Infrastructure Law funding for communities in Western Pennsylvania like Millvale to remove dangerous lead pipes and ensure folks have clean and safe drinking water.”
“The investment to the Perkasie Regional Authority through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Resolving Funds (CWSRF & DWSRF) to upgrade their water infrastructure is critical to the region and I am pleased to report that the project is nearing its completion,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1). “Access to clean drinking water is an essential for healthy living, and we in Congress must do everything we can to continue funding these vital programs.”
“All residents in Pennsylvania need and deserve access to safe and reliable drinking water,” said Department of Environmental Protection Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “The Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and the Clean Water State Revolving Funds are instrumental to upgrading our aging drinking water and wastewater system infrastructure. Through IIJA, Pennsylvania has applied $165 million to 13 projects to improve water quality throughout the commonwealth. This funding will ultimately help our communities produce pure and sustainable water quality.”
Communities across the country are facing water infrastructure challenges. Many cities and towns have aging water infrastructure – old, broken or lead pipes carrying drinking water and wastewater treatment plants in need of major upgrades. Some communities struggle to maintain adequate stormwater infrastructure to effectively manage flood impacts from climate change and others need to upgrade their water treatment to address emerging contaminants like PFAS.
The funding EPA announced for Pennsylvania is part of a $5.8 billion investment through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), one of EPA’s signature water investment programs. This multi-billion-dollar investment will fund state-run, low-interest loan programs to address key challenges, with $2.6 billion going to the Clean Water SRF for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure and $3.2 billion going to the Drinking Water SRF for drinking water infrastructure nationwide. Today’s announcement includes allotments for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law General Supplemental funds and Emerging Contaminant funds for SRF programs for fiscal year 2024. EPA anticipates announcing allocations for billions of dollars in additional resources for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line Replacement fund later this Spring.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Action in Pennsylvania
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected $782,982,000 into water infrastructure projects across the state protecting public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs. These investments are unprecedented and transformational. To view stories about how the unpreceded investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are transforming communities across the country, visit EPA’s new Investing in America’s Water Infrastructure Storymap. To read more about some additional projects that are underway, see EPA’s recently released Quarterly Report on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funded Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF projects.
Background
The Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and the Clean Water State Revolving Funds have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments for more than 30 years, providing low-cost financing for local projects across America. SRF programs are critically important programs for investing in the nation’s water infrastructure. They are designed to generate significant and sustainable water quality and public health benefits across the country. Their impact is amplified by the growth inherent in a revolving loan structure – payment of principal and interest on loans made are available to address future needs.
For more information, including state-by-state allocation of 2023 funding, and a breakdown of EPA State Revolving Fund funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, please visit the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund website and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund website.
Read the full article at: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-announces-more-200-million-pennsylvania-drinking-water
