EPA allocates $42M for Wyoming's water infrastructure

TL/DR -

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced funding of $42,956,000 for upgrades to Wyoming's drinking water and clean water infrastructure. This is part of a larger investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which will direct over $50 billion towards water infrastructure upgrades, making it the largest such investment in American history. Furthermore, over the past three years, the EPA has invested nearly $175 million for new and upgraded wastewater and drinking water services in Wyoming communities. Overall, these funds are expected to support crucial water infrastructure, protect public health, and contribute to job creation.

U.S. EPA Grants $42,956,000 for Wyoming Drinking Water and Clean Water Infrastructure Upgrades

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a funding of $42,956,000 for Wyoming drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades.

This funding is part of the over $50 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law– the largest investment in American history. This announcement will support essential water infrastructure across the state, protecting public health and precious water bodies.

Investing in America's Water Infrastructure

Approximately half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, helping underserved communities in need of water infrastructure investments. “Over the past three years, the EPA has invested nearly $175 million in new and upgraded wastewater and drinking water services in Wyoming communities through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker.

These projects are creating jobs and building new treatment and delivery systems, securing healthy watersheds and safe drinking water across the state. However, many communities across the country face water infrastructure challenges.

Most cities and towns have aging water infrastructure – old, broken, or lead pipes that are in need of major upgrades. Some communities struggle to maintain adequate stormwater infrastructure to manage flood impacts from climate change, and others need to upgrade their water treatment to address emerging contaminants like PFAS.

Major EPA Investment in Water Infrastructure Nationwide

The Wyoming funding is part of a $5.8 billion EPA investment through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), one of EPA’s signature water investment programs. This multi-billion-dollar investment will fund state-run, low-interest loan programs to address key challenges with $2.6 billion going to the Clean Water SRF and $3.2 billion to the Drinking Water SRF nationwide.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in action in Wyoming has already injected $175 million into water infrastructure projects across the state since 2022, protecting public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs.

The funds are provided to state revolving funds managed by the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, which identifies and supports priority projects across the state.

For more detailed information, please visit the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund website and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund website.

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