2005 drinking water funds now available
EPA is announcing the availability of FY 2005 congressional appropriations funding for the Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs. These programs provide states, territories and tribes with resources to protect the water of more than 270 million people.
The Safe Drinking Water Act allows EPA to delegate primary enforcement responsibility to states, territories or tribes that meet specific requirements so that they may implement and enforce drinking water regulations and programs. EPA is making $99,745,600 in PWSS grant funding available to help states, territories and tribes support drinking water programs. Of that amount, EPA is reserving $6,419,900 in funding for tribes and Alaska Native Villages.
EPA is also announcing the availability of $843,200,000 in funding to support DWSRF programs, which provide states with financing for public water system infrastructure improvements. States have used federal capitalization grant funds to establish low interest loan programs for public water systems. Projects eligible for funding include upgrades to treatment facilities, eligible storage facilities, and distribution systems. Since the program began in 1997, states have provided nearly $8 billion in low interest loans to public water systems within their states.
States, territories, and tribes may apply for funding through their EPA Regional Offices. Additional information about the PWSS and DWSRF programs, including the amount of grant funding available to each state, can be found at:
PWSS: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/pws/grants/
DWSRF: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwsrf/allotments/
This article originally appeared in the 04/01/2005 issue of Environmental Protection.