HONOLULU, OCTOBER 7, 2016 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded $6.4 million to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for wastewater and drinking waterinfrastructure support.
"This much-needed funding will help the CNMI provide cleaner, safer drinking water, while protecting its coral reefs," said Alexis Strauss, EPA's acting Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. "We will continue to support CUC's efforts to ensure safe drinking water and adequate sanitation for the residents of CNMI."
Since 2010, EPA has awarded over $49 million to in Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC), which provides utility services to residents for the design and construction of water and wastewater infrastructure. Past projects include the construction of the Papago drinking water tank and the San Vicente drinking water supply line.
This year's funding will used for water infrastructure projects to provide 24-hour drinking water service to customers, improve drinking water quality, and prevent water pollution. Targeted projects include a program to detect and repair drinking water pipeline leaks, a water supply line replacement at Finasisu, Saipan sewer lift station renovations and sewer system improvements, and a new water tank near the Nothern Marianas College.
The EPA's Pacific Southwest Region (Region 9) administers and enforces federal environmental laws in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands and 148 tribal nations and is home to 50 million people.
