“EPA is committed to helping restore America’s economy through projects that not only create jobs, but also make a demonstrable difference for the environment and public health,” said EPA Acting Regional Administrator George Pavlou. “This funding will help municipalities across New Jersey upgrade their drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, both of which are imperative for healthy communities.”
The clean water state revolving fund program will receive $160,146,900. It provides low-interest loans for water quality protection projects for wastewater treatment, non-point source pollution control, and watershed and estuary management. The drinking water state revolving fund program will receive $43,154,000. It provides low-interest loans for drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements. The program also emphasizes providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities and to programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water.
An unprecedented $6 billion will be awarded to fund water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the country under the Recovery Act in the form of low-interest loans, principal forgiveness and grants. At least 20% of the funds provided under the Recovery Act are to be used for green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency improvements and other environmentally new projects.
US President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on February 17, 2009, and has directed that the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability.
