DALLAS, TEXAS – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $199,701,000 from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, like Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. This investment, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program and will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies.
“Too many American communities, especially those that are small, rural, or underserved, are suffering from exposure to PFAS and other harmful contaminants in their drinking water,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, we are investing in America and providing billions of dollars to strengthen our nation’s water infrastructure while safeguarding people’s health and boosting local economies. These grants build on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap and will help protect our smallest and most vulnerable communities from these persistent and dangerous chemicals.”
“Clean water access is a key component to a healthy nation; without it we risk endangering public health and economic growth,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “As leaders in environmental quality, we must work with local and state agencies to ensure the funding addresses all communities, especially those at highest risk. We thank the Biden Administration for their commitment towards improving public health and water quality.”
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests $5 billion over five years to help communities that are on the frontlines of PFAS contamination reduce PFAS in drinking water. EPA announced the funds as part of an allotment of $2 billion to states and territories that can be used to prioritize infrastructure and source water treatment for pollutants, like PFAS and other emerging contaminants, and to conduct water quality testing.
The breakdown of funding for each state is below:
• Arkansas will receive $18,914,000
• Louisiana will receive $26,300,000
• New Mexico will receive $18,914,000
• Oklahoma will receive $20,877,000
• Texas will receive $114,696,000
