The Environmental Protection Agency invested more than $900 million in 2006 to help states and municipalities update wastewater infrastructure. Combined
The Environmental Protection Agency invested more than $900 million in 2006 to help states and municipalities update wastewater infrastructure. Combined with state contributions, total financial assistance for wastewater projects topped $5 billion for the first time, according to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) 2006 Annual Report. Since the CWSRF program began 20 years ago, 18,000-plus loans totaling more than $57 billion have been provided to help rebuild and refurbish the nation’s wastewater infrastructure.
The State Clean Water Funds are evolving to reach new levels of success and sustainability. EPA’s national report underscores the importance of innovation and partnership to increase environmental results in watersheds and communities across America, says Benjamin Grumbles, EPA assistant administrator for water.
CWSRF is the largest federal funding program for wastewater infrastructure projects, such as treatment plants and collection systems. It is an outgrowth of 1987 amendments to the Clean Water Act. The fund is self-sustaining in that the interest derived from loans as they are repaid helps expand the program to provide even broader funding in future years. The CWSRF includes annual EPA contributions matched with at least an additional 20 percent from the states. The states, in turn, make low-interest loans to local utilities.