It's not very sexy, and it seldom makes the headlines, but government loans and grants to improve wastewater treatment, drinking water supplies and water delivery systems are a mainstay of state environmental and health agency programs. I doubt the claims of huge numbers of jobs being created, but it is good to see WV getting revolving loan funds as part of the stimulus package. I'm not certain where the money is being spent in WV.
The following comes from EPA Waterheadlines, an email service which is available to anyone who wants to keep track of initiatives that EPA has in the water area.
1) First of Recovery Act Water Funds Awarded
In a move that stands to create thousands of jobs, boost local economies, improve aging water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the first of the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund grants under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. Clean Water State Revolving Fund grants have been made to the states of New York, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Nebraska. Drinking Water State Revolving Fund grants have been awarded to the states of Kansas and Nebraska.
This new infusion of money will help state and local governments finance many of the overdue improvements to water and wastewater projects including innovative green projects that save energy, water and further reduce the impact on the environment. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program provides low-interest loans for water quality protection projects for wastewater treatment, non-point source pollution control, and watershed and estuary management. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program provides low-interest loans for drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements. The drinking water program also emphasizes providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities and to programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water.
An unprecedented $6 billion dollars will be awarded to fund water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the country under the Recovery Act in the form of low interest loans, principal forgiveness and grants. At least 20% of the funds provided under the Recovery Act are to be used for green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency improvements and other environmentally innovative projects. President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on February 17, 2009, and has directed that the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at http://www.recovery.gov/.
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