(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has allotted $74 million to New Jersey to help finance improvements to water projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment. The funds will be used to finance water quality protection and drinking water projects that will last far into the future.

"This funding will improve water quality and protect drinking water across New Jersey," said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. "Clean drinking water and proper wastewater treatment are fundamental to protecting people's health, but aging water infrastructure needs to be upgraded and repaired. EPA's funding helps New Jersey to continue its program to invest in drinking water and wastewater systems and protect people's health."

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, administrated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, was allotted $57,378,000. The program provides low-interest loans for water quality protection projects to make improvements to wastewater treatment systems, control pollution from rain water runoff, and protect sensitive water bodies and estuaries.

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, also administrated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, was allotted $16,828,000. The program provides low-interest loans to finance improvements to drinking water systems, with a particular focus on providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities.

Since 1989, the EPA has awarded over $2.3 billion to New Jersey through these programs.

As communities develop and climate patterns shift, water infrastructure needs can only be expected to grow. Green infrastructure is a cost-effective and resilient approach to water infrastructure needs that provides benefits to communities across the nation.

For more information on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, visit http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/cwsrf/cwsrf_index.cfm.

For information on the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program visit http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwsrf/.

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