Delaware Water Projects to Get $19.5 M from Recovery Funds

In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, improve aging water infrastructure, and protect human health and the environment for Delaware residents, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $19.5 million to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.

This new infusion of money provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will help the state and local governments finance many of the overdue improvements to water projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment across the state.

“Delaware now has the ‘green light’ to fund projects that will protect public health, upgrade infrastructure, and invigorate local economies across the state. This financing is needed for communities to continue to receive safe drinking water,” said William C. Early, acting administrator of EPA’s mid-Atlantic region.

The funds will go to the state's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, which provides low-interest loans to finance infrastructure improvements. The program also emphasizes providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities.

For information on EPA’s implementation of the ARRA in Delaware, visit http://recovery.delaware.gov/.