Courtney, Connecticut Delegation, and EPA Announce $73.5 Million for Drinking Water Infrastructure Upgrades in Connecticut
(April 4, 2023) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $73,587,000 to Connecticut to fund essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). Thanks to a $6 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is increasing the investments available to rebuild the nation’s water infrastructure.
“Every community deserves access to safe, clean drinking water,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s historic infrastructure investments in America, we have an unprecedented opportunity to revitalize America’s drinking water systems, support the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of removing 100% of lead pipes across our country, and protect communities from PFAS pollution.”
“EPA is very grateful to the Biden Administration and to the Congress for making possible the investments we are now making to upgrade drinking water infrastructure throughout New England, but especially to ensure that historically underserved communities are getting the investments and environmental protection they deserve. This funding will provide benefits for Connecticut communities for generations to come and represents an investment in our children and grandchildren, making sure they have access to clean and healthy drinking water,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash.
“Across eastern Connecticut one of the most urgent and consistent infrastructure issues I hear about is the need to upgrade and improve our public water systems,” said U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02). “That’s why I am proud to have helped pass for the infrastructure law and the new resources it will bring to Connecticut to help local communities across our state provide safe and reliable drinking water and replace aging pipes and infrastructure.”
“Over $73.5 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding will make our drinking water safer and cleaner. However, we need many more resources in the future to replace lead pipes, remove PFAS and additional pollutants — especially in underserved communities. This funding is much needed and I will keep fighting for future federal investments in our water infrastructure, said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.”
“It’s unacceptable that communities across our state have to deal with water that flows through lead pipes or is contaminated by toxic chemicals. This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help make sure no one in Connecticut has to think twice about whether it’s safe to drink the water from their faucet,” said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to make historic infrastructure investments that address challenges in our local water infrastructure for Connecticut’s families,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. “This funding will help treat wastewater to protect public health and improve access to clean and safe drinking water in Connecticut. As climate change fuels greater uncertainty regarding access to clean and safe drinking water, meaningful investments in our community water infrastructure will help bring needed security.”
“Upgrading Connecticut’s water infrastructure is an investment in healthier families and safer communities,” said U.S. Congressman John B. Larson. “This funding we secured in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will support pollution mitigation, including efforts to remove PFAS and other contaminants from our drinking water sources, and dedicate resources to replace all existing lead service pipes both in Connecticut and nationwide.”
“Every American deserves to feel confident that the glass of water they pour from their faucet is free of contaminants. I’m glad that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continues to make funding available for communities in Connecticut to upgrade aging pipes and keep our promise to every household that their water supply is safe and properly treated, said U.S. Congressman Jim Himes.”
Background
The 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments mandated that EPA conduct an assessment of the nation’s public water systems’ infrastructure needs every four years and use the findings to allocate DWSRF capitalization grants to states.
The DWSRFs have been the foundation of water infrastructure investment for more than 25 years, providing low-cost financing for local projects across America. Since its inception, states have provided almost $53 billion through DWSRF programs to water systems for approximately 18,000 projects. Each state receives an allocation percentage that is based directly on its proportional share of the total need for all 50 States and Puerto Rico. The percentage made available to any individual state ranges from 1% to almost 11%, with each state guaranteed a minimum of 1% of the total amount available to states. Due to any individual state’s share of the total state need, some states will see increases or decreases in the percentage of funding they receive.
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