Press Releases
02/20/2024
Biden-Harris Administration announces over $61 million for Connecticut drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure upgrades as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda
BOSTON (Feb. 20, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced nearly $61.4 million from President Biden's Investing in America agenda for Connecticut drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. The funding is part of the over $50 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—the largest such investment in American history. Today's announcement will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state. Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure.
"President Biden's Investing in America agenda continues to transform communities for the better with this latest infusion of funds for critical water infrastructure projects," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "With $50 billion in total, the largest investment in water infrastructure in our nation's history, EPA will enable communities across the nation to ensure safer drinking water for their residents and rebuild vital clean water infrastructure to protect public health for decades to come."
"Outdated infrastructure and aging pipes that fail; climate change impacts that cause sewer systems to overflow; emerging contaminants, like PFAS, that may affect our health—these are challenges that communities across our region face every day, especially in underserved and disadvantaged communities. With today's announcement, we are allocating over $408 million of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to combat these challenges with much-needed water infrastructure projects across New England," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "Every person, every child deserves safe and clean drinking water; and together with our state and local partners, we are financing upgrades to wastewater treatment plants, replacing old and aging water mains, and developing new filtration sites to remove contaminants from drinking water to make that a reality."
"The Connecticut delegation fought for significant resources to improve our state's water infrastructure. Over $61.3 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding will make our drinking water safer and cleaner, including removing PFAS and other pollutants. This funding is much needed and supports the first ever federal program to replace lead service pipes. We will continue to keep fighting for federal resources until everyone in Connecticut has access to safe and clean drinking water," said Senator Blumenthal, Senator Murphy, Representative DeLauro, Representative Larson, Representative Courtney, Representative Himes, Representative Hayes.
"Safe and clean drinking water and waterways are essential for our public and environmental health," Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said. "The historic commitment made to clean water infrastructure is yet another way President Biden's landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is building a safe and resilient future for our country. This funding will go a long way to protect the health of Connecticut residents, and our cherished natural resources, which contribute so much to our tremendous quality of life in Connecticut."
"With this funding, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will be able to help fund critical wastewater infrastructure projects that will reduce water pollution in Connecticut communities," DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. "With the Supplemental and Emerging Contaminants Funds, DEEP will prioritize work in distressed communities and address combined sewer overflow and/or sanitary sewer overflows, upgrade wastewater treatment facilities, and reduce PFAS pollution."
"The availability of these funds is a significant step that the Biden Administration has undertaken to address the continued provision of safe drinking water which ensures the basic public health needs of our residents," said Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. "This funding supports principal forgiveness loans through DPH to our eligible public water systems and will focus on lead service line inventory and removal, aging infrastructure and contaminants in drinking water."
Communities across the country are facing water infrastructure challenges. Many cities and towns have aging water infrastructure—old, broken or lead pipes carrying drinking water and wastewater treatment plants in need of major upgrades. Some communities struggle to maintain adequate stormwater infrastructure to effectively manage flood impacts from climate change and others need to upgrade their water treatment to address emerging contaminants like PFAS.
The funding EPA announced for Connecticut is part of a $5.8 billion investment through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), one of EPA's signature water investment programs. This multi-billion-dollar investment will fund state-run, low-interest loan programs to address key challenges, with $2.6 billion going to the Clean Water SRF for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure and $3.2 billion going to the Drinking Water SRF for drinking water infrastructure nationwide. Today's announcement includes allotments for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law General Supplemental funds and Emerging Contaminant funds for SRF programs for fiscal year 2024. EPA anticipates announcing allocations for billions of dollars in additional resources for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line Replacement fund later this spring.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Action in Connecticut
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected over $235.5 million into water infrastructure projects across Connecticut—protecting public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs—including:
- $5.2 million to the City of Bristol for upgrades to Bristol Water and Sewer Department's SCADA system, which monitors and controls treatment facilities and distribution systems.
- Over $2.6 million to the Town of Montville for the construction of a new water storage tank to replace the Cook Hill Tank.
To view stories about how the unpreceded investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are transforming communities across the country, visit EPA's new Investing in America's Water Infrastructure Storymap. To read more about some additional projects that are underway, see EPA's recently released Quarterly Report on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funded Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF projects.
Background
The Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and the Clean Water State Revolving Funds have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments for more than 30 years, providing low-cost financing for local projects across America. SRF programs are critically important programs for investing in the nation's water infrastructure. They are designed to generate significant and sustainable water quality and public health benefits across the country. Their impact is amplified by the growth inherent in a revolving loan structure—payment of principal and interest on loans made are available to address future needs.
For more information, including state-by-state allocation of 2024 funding, and a breakdown of EPA State Revolving Fund funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, please visit the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund website and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund website.