EPA announces $124M for Maryland 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 – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $124 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Maryland drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. This investment will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and important water bodies across the state. Almost half of the funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring that funds reach underserved communities most in need of water infrastructure investments.
“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.”
The funding announced for Maryland 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. EPA will announce allocations for billions of dollars in additional resources for BIL Lead Service Line Replacement fund later this spring.
“President Biden continues to deliver for Maryland, and this is the latest example of that historic commitment from his administration to ensure that no one in Maryland is left behind,” said Maryland Governor Wes Moore. “Our federal partners continue to work with the Biden-Harris Administration to deliver real results for our state. This funding, which is part of the single largest investment in drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure in our nation’s history, will help ensure that everyone from the mountains of Western Maryland to the beaches of the Eastern Shore will have access to clean and safe drinking water.”
“Reliable access to clean water is critical to the health and wellbeing of our communities. This significant investment – that we’re delivering through the infrastructure modernization law – will improve Marylanders’ water quality and strengthen our water infrastructure across the state,” said U.S. Senator Van Hollen (D-MD).
“There is not a person in this state or this country who can survive without clean, safe water. This makes federal investments in water infrastructure both a moral and practical imperative,” said U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD). “Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we bolstered resources available through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds because they are critical to ensuring access to clean water that helps protect public health and the Chesapeake Bay.”
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has injected $413 million into water infrastructure projects across Maryland. To view stories about how the unpreceded investments from the BIL 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.
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.
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/epa-announces-124m-maryland-drinking-water-wastewater-and-stormwater-infrastructure
