All News Releases By Date

EPA Provides Puerto Rico $26.8 Million for Water Infrastructure Projects

Release Date: 10/17/2014
Contact Information: Elias Rodriguez, (212) 637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $26.8 million to Puerto Rico to help finance improvements to water projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment. The funds will be primarily used to upgrade sewage plants and drinking water systems throughout the commonwealth. The funding is awarded annually.

“Since 1989, the EPA has provided more than $705 million for Puerto Rico water projects,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. "This funding helps communities in Puerto Rico upgrade their drinking water and sewage treatment systems, improving the environment and protecting public health.”

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program received $18 million. EPA’s funding 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 received $8.8 million. EPA’s funding provides low-interest loans to finance improvements to drinking water systems, with a particular focus on providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities and to programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water.

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 https://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwsrf/.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and Facebook at http://facebook.com/eparegion2.

14-128