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PA EPA ISSUES FINAL GUIDELINES FOR D.WATER ST. REVOLVING FUND

Release Date: 03/7/97
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PA EPA ISSUES FINAL GUIDELINES FOR D.WATER ST. REVOLVING FUND

FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1997

EPA ISSUES FINAL GUIDELINES FOR DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND

EPA has released to states its final guidelines for implementing the nation's first Drinking Water State Revolving Fund dedicated to protecting public health and compliance with the l996 Safe Drinking Water Act. Congress has authorized $9.6 billion for the revolving loan fund through the year 2003. EPA soon will begin awarding the first round of federal capitalization grants to states totaling $1.275 billion nationally. Under the revolving loan fund program, EPA awards grants to states which, in turn, provide loans and other assistance to qualifying communities. The fund will help ensure that the nation's drinking water supplies remain safe and affordable, allowing each state to provide financial support for drinking water needs for years to come. A particular emphasis has been placed on assisting smaller drinking water systems to ensure that such systems have adequate technical, managerial and financial resources to maintain compliance and provide safe water. The new program also establishes a strong new emphasis on preventing contamination problems through source water protection and enhanced system management. Each state will be allowed considerable flexibility in determining the design of its program and to direct funding towards its most pressing compliance and public health protection needs. For additional information or copies of the guidelines, the general public can call EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. The guidelines are also available through the internet at: https://www.epa.gov/OW/regs/intro.html.

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