EPA Unveils Guidance for Implementation of BIL Funds, Announces Informational Webinars
In a memorandum released March 8, EPA provides guidance on implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The memo provides information and guidelines on how the Agency will award and administer the supplemental State Revolving Fund (SRF) Capitalization Grants through the BIL, including the funds for the general drinking water and clean water SRF programs and the funding that will be dedicated to removing lead service lines and addressing emerging contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). EPA intends the implementation memo to apply to all five years of BIL appropriations. The Agency also released a companion fact sheet.
According to EPA’s press release, the Agency’s implementation memo “highlights the flexibility provided to states and borrowers to address a wide variety of local water quality and public health challenges. SRF funding through the Law can be used in combination with additional funding sources to finance water infrastructure projects that meet the most pressing local needs. The memo also underscores provisions included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to ensure that disadvantaged communities fully benefit from these historic investments in the water sector.”
ASDWA President Lori Mathieu, Public Health Branch Chief for the Environmental Health & Drinking Water Branch at the Connecticut Department of Public Health, remarked,
“Today’s release of EPA’s BIL State Revolving Fund Implementation Memorandum concerning drinking water infrastructure funding is a critical first step toward investing this important funding in the provision of safe drinking water and protecting public health. The BIL funding represents a historic and unique opportunity to invest in the sustainability of our nation’s public drinking water supply systems.
State drinking water agency leadership, drinking water programs and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund programs are excited to work with EPA to move forward with the provision of increased funding for drinking water infrastructure. With a focus to address aging infrastructure, lead service lines, and emerging contaminants, this funding support can assist to address a variety of drinking water system issues. States look forward to continuing their partnerships with EPA on increasing water infrastructure funding where it’s most needed, to focus on health equity and assist disadvantaged communities. The release of the SRF Implementation Memorandum is the first step of many to get the infrastructure dollars to states and to public drinking water systems. We look forward to reviewing the memorandum so that we can continue our important work in protecting public health and ensuring the provision of safe drinking water.”
ASDWA’s Executive Director Alan Roberson echoed these thoughts, adding that we “look forward to reviewing the memorandum so that we can continue our work in helping states to provide increased funding for water infrastructure improvements.”
EPA also announced two webinars to discuss the memorandum. The first will be held this Thursday, March 10, starting at 4 PM ET, followed by a second webinar Wednesday, March 16 at 2 PM ET. You can register for these events online.
