Biden-Harris Administration announces over $361 million for North Carolina 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)
RALEIGH, N.C. (February 21, 2024) –The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $361 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for North Carolina 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.”
“The investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continue to help us ensure safe, clean drinking water for all North Carolinians” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “North Carolina has been at the forefront of issues caused by emerging compounds and these funds will help us ensure safe water.”
“This grant will give our communities the tools they need to ensure all North Carolinians have access to clean, safe drinking water they need and deserve,” said U.S. Senator Thom Tillis. “I applaud the EPA for investing in our great state and I am proud to have worked on the bipartisan infrastructure bill to make this grant possible.”
“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this historic investment will help upgrade our aging water infrastructure and improve public health across North Carolina,” said U.S. Representative Deborah Ross (NC-02). “I fought to pass this once-in-a-generation legislation because every North Carolinian – regardless of their zip code – deserves access to clean, safe drinking water. In Congress, I’ll keep working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to modernize our water infrastructure, combat PFAS contamination, and preserve our environment for generations to come.”
“We must invest critically in drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. Failure to do so will place health and jobs at risk. These investments will help North Carolina communities and families for years to come,” said U.S. Representative Donald G. Davis’ (NC-01).”
“With this federal investment, North Carolina will make much-needed improvements to essential water infrastructure, improving public health and helping ensure historically underserved communities have the resources they need to protect clean drinking water. I was proud to vote for President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I’m pleased that the Law continues to deliver for North Carolina and the Sixth District,” said U.S. Representative Kathy Manning (NC-06).
“I am pleased that North Carolina will receive over $129 million to support and upgrade our critical water infrastructure that families depend on every day,” said U.S. Representative Valerie Foushee (NC-04). “Safe, clean, and readily available drinking water is a matter of public health, and it should be accessible to every community, whether it’s for drinking, water production, or recreation, and I applaud the Biden Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency for providing this critical federal funding that will help expand clean water access to traditionally underserved communities across our state.”
“The additional federal investments expand the state’s ability to support critical infrastructure improvements to address contamination, replace aging equipment and support growth in our small and rural communities, “said Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser of the North Carolina Department of Environmental 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected over $537 million into water infrastructure projects across North Carolina—protecting public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs.
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 2024 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-over-361-million-north-carolina-drinking-water
