On Wednesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $3.6 billion in new funding under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to upgrade water infrastructure and keep communities safe, the agency announced.
The U.S. Virgin Islands is slated to receive almost $21 million for drinking water and wastewater improvements, including the $9 million announced as part of the EPA’s announcement of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements earlier this month. This BIL funding will help communities across the islands upgrade water infrastructure essential to safely managing wastewater, protecting local freshwater resources, and delivering safe drinking water to homes, schools, and businesses, according to the press release.
These Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds will flow through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, a long-standing federal-state water investment partnership. This multibillion-dollar investment will fund state-run, low-interest loan programs that address key challenges in financing water infrastructure, the press release stated.
Wednesday’s announcement includes allotments for Puerto Rico’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Clean Water General Supplemental funds totaling $8 million, Emerging Contaminant funds totaling $693,000 and $2.7 million in funds under the Drinking Water Emerging Contaminant Fund, the release stated.
To ensure investments reach communities that need them the most, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law mandates that a majority of the funding must be provided to disadvantaged communities in the form of grants or loans that do not have to be repaid. EPA is changing the odds for communities that have faced barriers to planning and accessing federal funding through its Water Technical Assistance program, which helps disadvantaged communities identify water challenges, develop infrastructure upgrade plans, and apply for funding, it said.
Communities seeking Water Technical Assistance can request support by completing the WaterTA request form. These efforts also advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which sets the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution, according to the release.
“Water keeps us healthy, sustains vibrant communities and dynamic ecosystems, and supports economic opportunity. When our water infrastructure fails, it threatens people’s health, peace of mind, and the environment,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s historic investment in water, EPA is working with states and local partners to upgrade infrastructure and address local challenges – from lead in drinking water, to PFAS, to water main breaks, to sewer overflows and climate resilience. Together, we are creating good-paying jobs while ensuring that all people can rely on clean and safe water.”
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to providing safe drinking water, resources needed to upgrade aging infrastructure, and address harmful contaminants,” says EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides the critical funds to our governmental partners in the U.S. Virgin Islands to ensure water quality and reduce pollution in our waterways.”
“I deeply appreciate the continued support from the Biden-Harris Administration toward our efforts to advance critical initiatives that will improve the quality of life for Virgin Islands residents,” said Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. “The water infrastructure funding allocated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a vital investment in our community, ensuring clean and safe drinking water while protecting our natural resources. These resources enable us to modernize outdated infrastructure and create good-paying jobs here at home. This is a transformative step in our ongoing work to build a more resilient, sustainable, and healthy Virgin Islands for future generations.”
“I am proud to see the fruition of the work of the Biden-Harris Administration with this funding announcement. Having worked on The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), I’m so excited it has delivered for our communities as we said it would, by providing funding to make vital improvements that will protect public health, preserve water resources, and create jobs,” said Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett. “The release of these funds to the territory is yet another step forward in rebuilding the Virgin Islands and walking the path towards our future together. The Virgin Islands will receive a total of $21 million for water infrastructure; a crucial investment for communities like ours that have suffered from a systemic lack of investment over many years. I would like to thank President Biden and his administration for their continued work and investment in our country and our territory to upgrade drinking water and clean water infrastructure.”
