On February 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $75,086,000 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go to Pennsylvania to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water.

A total investment of $2 billion is allocated to states and territories and will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program. 

The funding will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies.

"We cannot wait any longer to address water quality and the health impacts of PFAS in our neighborhoods,” said Adam Ortiz, EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator.  “This federal funding will help Pennsylvania communities impacted by PFAS to get access to clean, safe drinking water.”

“For years I have urged multiple presidents’ administrations to get ‘forever chemicals’ like PFAS out of Pennsylvania drinking water and keep them out,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA). “This major investment, made possible by the infrastructure law, is a strong start to clean up PFAS contamination in Pennsylvania’s waters. I’m going to keep working with the Biden Administration to build on this progress and we won’t stop until every Pennsylvanian has safe, clean water in their communities.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $5 billion over five years to help communities that are on the frontlines of PFAS contamination reduce PFAS in drinking water. The $2 billion announced Tuesday to states and territories can be used to prioritize infrastructure and source water treatment for pollutants, like PFAS and other emerging contaminants, and to conduct water quality testing.

“Pennsylvania has been working to protect residents from PFAS contamination in drinking water and soil, and we welcome the resources from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will help further these efforts for our communities,” said Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Rich Negrin. “This federal funding will help upgrade the public water systems in Pennsylvania to filter out these harmful chemicals and ensure clean drinking water across the Commonwealth. The Biden administration’s efforts will protect Pennsylvanians for generations to come.”

EPA is also releasing the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Implementation document.

The implementation document provides states and communities with the information necessary to use this funding to address local water quality and public health challenges.

These grants will enable communities to improve local water infrastructure and reduce emerging contaminants in drinking water by implementing solutions such as installing necessary treatment solutions.

Click Here to learn more about EPA initiatives on PFAS and emerging contaminants.

In Pennsylvania, the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority is charged with administering this funding.

Related Articles:

-- EPA Region III Sets March 2 Virtual Listening Session On PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Strategic Roadmap  [PaEN]

-- Environmental Quality Board Notice: Correction To PFAS MCL Rule

[Posted: February 14, 2023]

2/20/2023