On February 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced over $200 million from the federal Investing in America program for Pennsylvania drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades.

The funding is part of the over $50 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the largest such investment in American history.

The federal funding will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state.

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. 

“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.”

“Across our Commonwealth, too many communities are struggling to fix leaking pipes and aging infrastructure that stand in the way of bringing clean water to Pennsylvania families," said Governor Josh Shapiro. “With this funding from the Biden Administration, we will be able to continue making critical investments in our infrastructure in order to build a better future for our communities. Together, we can ensure access to clean water and uphold Pennsylvanians' Constitutional right to clean air, pure water, and a healthy environment."

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 ‘forever chemicals.’. 

The funding EPA announced for Pennsylvania 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.

This 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 nationwide.

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. 

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Action in Pennsylvania

Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected $782,982,000 into water infrastructure projects across the state protecting public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs.

These investments are unprecedented and transformational. To view stories about how the unpreceded investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 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.  

Related Articles - Watersheds:

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-- PA Environmental Council, Aqua Pennsylvania Now Accepting Applications For New Protect Your Drinking Water Grant Program In Chester, Delaware Counties  [PaEN] 

-- The Reporter: State, Montgomery County Designate $1 Million To Launch Perkiomen Watershed Initiative To Identify Areas Of Flood Risk

-- EPA Announces $200 Million+ For PA Drinking Water, Wastewater, Stormwater Infrastructure Upgrades  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Watershed Winds: Webinars On Managing Natural Resources On Farms; Nutrient Retention On Pasture Lands; Art Gover Recognized; Other Educational Opportunities  [PaEN]

[Posted: February 21, 2024]

2/26/2024