EPA Invests $16.5M in USVI Water Infrastructure

TL/DR -

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has pledged $16.5 million towards improving water infrastructure in the U.S. Virgin Islands as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda. The funds are part of a broader $50 billion allocation under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which will be distributed nationwide, with a portion made available as grants or principal forgiveness loans targeted at traditionally marginalized communities. The U.S. Virgin Islands' funding comes from a $5.8 billion investment through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, funding islands-run, low-interest loan programs to tackle key challenges in wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water infrastructure.

Environmental Protection Agency Announces Investment in Virgin Islands' Water Infrastructure

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a major investment in the Virgin Islands' water infrastructure as part of President Joe Biden's Investing in America agenda. A total of $50 billion has been allocated nationwide under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, of which the U.S. Virgin Islands will receive $16.5 million.

Approximately half of the total funding will be offered as grants or principal forgiveness loans to reach historically marginalized communities in dire need of water infrastructure upgrades and improvements.

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said, "This unprecedented investment of $50 billion, the largest in our nation’s history, will help communities nationwide ensure safer drinking water and rebuild vital clean water infrastructure."

Regional administrator Lisa Garcia welcomed the USVI’s share of the funding, emphasizing the critical need for water infrastructure upgrades in the U.S. Virgin Islands, particularly in communities that need it the most.

The Virgin Islands' funding is part of a $5.8 billion investment through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, one of the EPA’s major water investment programs. The funding will support island-run, low-interest loan programs to address key challenges, with $2.6 billion allocated to Clean Water for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure and $3.2 billion for Drinking Water for drinking water infrastructure.

Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has invested over $102 million in water infrastructure projects across the U.S. Virgin Islands to protect public health, preserve water resources, and create jobs, according to the EPA.

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