BENNINGTON, VT -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding $2.7 billion nationwide in federal financial assistance in support of water infrastructure improvements through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs, including $18,791,000 for Vermont. This funding assists states, tribes and territories with infrastructure projects that help protect surface water and provide safe drinking water to communities across the United States.
"Especially during Children's Health Month, EPA is proud to further support our state and local partners' critical work to improve water infrastructure and test for lead in drinking water, which will result in tangible and lasting benefits for communities and citizens," said EPA New England Regional Administrator Dennis Deziel. "These projects will significantly advance children's health protections and improve water quality across Vermont."
"The State Revolving Funds help Vermont communities tackle the challenges associated with aging drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. This funding enables towns to pursue critical upgrades," said Vermont Department of Environmental Commissioner Peter Walke. "Earlier this year, SRF money helped the Town of Bennington initiate an $11 million project to replace all lead service lines in the area. From Bennington to Burlington, SRFs help communities finance short and long-term projects that increase water quality and address public health concerns."
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC) has received and will administer the SRF appropriations. VTDEC helps Vermont's wastewater and water systems maintain or come into compliance with federal and state clean water and drinking water requirements.
In 2020, EPA awarded $1.6 billion nationwide in new federal grant funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), including $7,780,000 to assist Vermont. This funding is available for a wide range of water infrastructure projects, including modernizing aging wastewater infrastructure, implementing water reuse and recycling and addressing stormwater.
EPA also awarded $1.07 billion across the country in new federal grant funding for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), including $11,011,000 to assist Vermont. This funding can be used for loans that help drinking water systems install treatment for contaminants and improve distribution systems by upgrading water mains, pipes, and tanks, and strengthen water resiliency to natural disasters such as floods.
EPA has also awarded VTDEC $295,000 over three fiscal years—2018 through 2020—to improve lead in drinking water testing in schools and childcare facilities under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN). This funding will support a state lead in water testing management strategy that will prioritize sampling activities in schools and childcare facilities in underserved communities. Based on more robust lead in drinking water testing, childhood exposure to lead will be reduced by routine water testing, notification, and practices to get lead out of drinking water.
