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EPA Gives New Jersey $45 Million To Improve Drinking Water Systems

Release Date: 09/29/1998
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(#98131) New York, N.Y. -- New Jersey will receive $45 million dollars from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use in a loan program designed to finance drinking water system infrastructure improvements. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1996 established a low-interest loan program, called the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, to help local water suppliers make improvements to their systems. The program places special emphasis on small and disadvantaged communities and on projects that encourage pollution prevention.

"For years, EPA has successfully granted money to be used by states in revolving funds that help local communities make improvements to their sewage treatment systems. Now, we are capitalizing on that success to improve drinking water systems," said Jeanne M. Fox, EPA Region 2 Administrator. "The state revolving fund will make a real difference. Improvements funded by this and other loan programs help ensure that all Americans, especially those in small or poor communities, have safe, clean drinking water."

New Jersey will match EPA's capitalization money with 20% to seed its revolving loan program, which will finance approximately 13 drinking water projects worth $56 million throughout the state. The revolving fund money will be used not only for the construction of needed drinking water facilities, but also to implement programs that will help New Jersey better assess drinking water conditions, enhance operator certification programs and technical assistance provided to small communities. The funds will be available to local water suppliers through the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust - NJEIT - formerly the Wastewater Treatment Trust.

For more information contact:
Mary Mears, Press Office
EPA Region 2
290 Broadway
NY, NY 10007-1866
Voice: 212-637-3669 FAX: 212-637-5046 E-Mail: mears.mary@epamail.epa.gov