U.S. EPA Awards Delaware $19.5 Million for Water Infrastructure

In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, improve aging water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment for the people in the state of Delaware, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $19.5 million to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.This new infusion of money provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 will help the state and local governments finance many of the overdue improvements to water projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment across the state.“Delaware now has the ‘green light’ to fund projects that will protect public health, upgrade infrastructure and invigorate local economies across the state. This financing is needed for communities to continue to receive safe drinking water,” said William C. Early, acting administrator of EPA’s mid-Atlantic region.“This funding will help our economy by getting Delawareans back to work and help ensure Delawareans continue to have clean, quality water coming out of their taps,” said Delaware Gov. Jack Markell.The ARRA funds will go to the state's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, which provides low-interest loans for drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements. The program also emphasizes providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities. An unprecedented $2 billion will be awarded to fund drinking water infrastructure projects across the country under the ARRA in the form of low-interest loans, principal forgiveness and grants. At least 20 percent of the funds provided under the act are to be used for "green" infrastructure, water- and energy-efficiency improvements and other environmentally innovative projects.For more information on EPA’s implementation of the ARRA in Delaware, visit http://recovery.delaware.gov/.