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EPA’s Mid-atlantic Region Awards $3.9 Million In Water Security Grants to Large Water Systems

Release Date: 9/13/2002
Contact Information: Roy Seneca, (215) 814-5567

Roy Seneca, (215) 814-5567

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s mid-Atlantic Region has completed its award of more than $3.9 million in water security grants to 34 large publicly-owned water facilities that serve more than 100,000 customers each. EPA’s mid-Atlantic region includes Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

“These grants will help ensure that the drinking water people rely on is safe and secure,” said Donald S. Welsh, regional administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region. “Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, EPA has redoubled existing efforts to promote security at public water facilities.”

The grants, in the amount of $115,000 apiece, can be used to develop a vulnerability assessment, to prepare an emergency operations plan, and to plan and design security enhancements. (Facilities receiving grants are listed on page 2.)

Following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, EPA received a supplemental appropriation of $89 million from Congress to improve the safety and security of the nation's water supply. Funding for these 34 grants comes from a portion of that money which EPA allocated for supplemental security at large drinking water utilities serving more than 100,000 people.

In cooperation with the FBI, EPA also has advised local law enforcement agencies across the country of steps they can take to detect threats to water systems. The agency also continues to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve understanding of how chemical and biological agents contaminate water and how to best counteract them.

Recipients Award Amount Award Date

Delaware (1)
City of Wilmington $115,000 06/19/02

District of Columbia (1)
Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) $115,000 08/29/02

Maryland (5)
Washington Suburban Sanitary Comm. $115,000 06/03/02
Howard County $115,000 06/05/02
Anne Arundel County $115,000 06/06/02
Harford County $115,000 06/06/02
Mayor and City Council of Baltimore $115,000 06/12/02

Pennsylvania (12)
Bucks County Water and Sewer $115,000 08/01/02
Philadelphia Water Department $115,000 06/05/02
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority $115,000 06/06/02
City of Lancaster $115,000 06/07/02
Allentown Water Resources Dept $115,000 06/10/02
Chester Water Authority $115,000 06/12/02
City of Bethlehem $115,000 06/12/02
City of Reading $115,000 08/21/02
Erie City Water Authority $115,000 06/12/02
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland Co $115,000 06/19/02
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland Co $115,000 06/20/02
North Penn/North Wales Forest Park Water $115,000 08/27/02

Virginia (15)
City of Falls Church $115,000 06/07/02
City of Norfolk $115,000 06/07/02
City of Portsmouth $115,000 06/07/02
City of Richmond $115,000 06/07/02
City of Roanoke $115,000 06/07/02
County of Henrico $115,000 06/07/02
City of Virginia Beach $115,000 06/11/02
Arlington County Government $115,000 06/19/02
Loudoun County Sanitation Authority $115,000 06/20/02
City of Newport News Dept of Public Util $115,000 06/24/02
Fairfax County Water Authority $115,000 06/20/02
Appomattox River Water Authority $115,000 06/26/02
Chesterfield County Department of Util $114,200 06/26/02
Chesapeake City $115,000 07/10/02
Occoquan-Woodbridge $115,000 08/22/02

West Virginia (no eligible systems)
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