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 water is essential for both healthy communities and healthy local economies. These funds will help fix aging infrastructure and provide good-paying jobs.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program provides low-interest loans for water quality protection projects for wastewater treatment, non-point source pollution control and watershed and estuary management. An unprecedented $4 billion will be awarded to fund 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 innovative projects.

Since the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program began in 1987, EPA has awarded over $26 billion in grants, which states have turned into $69 billion of financial assistance for water quality projects.