This funding will go a long way toward fixing aging infrastructure in urban and rural communities in the Region, said William Rice, acting regional administrator. Clean drinking water is essential for both healthy communities and healthy local economies. These funds will help fix aging infrastructure and provide good-paying jobs.
The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program 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 $2 billion will be awarded to fund drinking water 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 innovative projects.
