The U.S. EPA has announced over $5.8 billion for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure across states, Tribes and territories through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF).
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.
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 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. The funding is supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The average state received about $32 million in Drinking Water SRF support, roughly 1.41% of the total funds available to states.
California received the greatest amount of funds: $247,974,000 in Drinking Water SRF support, 10.79% of total funds. 18 states equally received the lowest amount of support: $22,985,000, 1.00% of total funds.
The 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.