EPA Awards $2.1 Million to Revitalize Urban Waters

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding $2.1 million to 37 organizations in 17 states and Puerto Rico to help protect and restore urban waters, improve water quality, and support community revitalization and other local priorities. The funding is through EPA’s Urban Waters program, which supports communities in their efforts to access, improve and benefit from their urban waters and the surrounding land.  The grants range from $40,000 to $60,000 for projects taking place in areas that align with the 18 designated Urban Waters Federal Partnership locations.
Please take a look at the list of funded projects to see which ones are taking place in your state.  Some of these projects may include activities that improve water quality and help protect the drinking water supply.  While there is no RFP at this time, it is expected that the program will continue to be funded and can provide opportunities in the future to implement community projects with a source water protection element.
The Urban Waters Federal Partnership is made up of 13 federal agencies working to reconnect urban communities with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies and collaborating with community-led revitalization efforts.  All funded projects work to advance environmental justice in their communities and focus on one of the following three categories:  community greening and green infrastructure, communities and water quality data, and integration of water quality and community development in planning.   Link to Full Press Release.