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Virginia Gets $14.5 Million For Safe Drinking Water

Release Date: 5/24/1999
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $14.5 million to the Commonwealth of Virginia to improve and protect drinking water supplies. The state matched the grant with $2.9 million in state money.

W. Michael McCabe, EPA’s mid-Atlantic regional administrator said, "It’s important to recognize the value of safe, healthy drinking water in Virginia as we begin to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Safe drinking water is the front line of defense in protecting public health."

The federal money will be used in three ways. The Virginia Department of Health will use $13.6 million - - $10.7 million of federal funds plus $2.9 million in state match - - for loans to communities, to improve local drinking water systems. The health department manages the revolving loan program and selects projects based
on environmental, technical and public health benefit. For information on the proposed projects, contact Tom Gray at 804-786-1768.

Two million dollars will be loaned to the Coalfield Water Development Fund which will invest the money and use the earnings to finance drinking water facilities
in southwestern Virginia.

The remaining $1.85 million of federal funds will provide technical assistance to small water systems, loans to waterworks to protect drinking water sources, and for scholarships to train plant operators.