EPA Hosts Roundtable With States, Water Systems and Small Communities to Accelerate Water Investments

Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) convened a roundtable on water infrastructure programs, including the State Revolving Funds, to identify and address challenges in program implementation that can result in delays in vital drinking water, wastewater and stormwater projects.

EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer was joined by states, water associations, technical assistance providers and representatives from small communities to identify actions that will be taken to ensure that infrastructure funding is invested efficiently and effectively to benefit Americans through stronger water infrastructure. Several actions specifically focused on addressing challenges that small communities face when applying for funding.

“While water infrastructure is often out of sight and out of mind for the American public, it delivers safe drinking water to homes, schools, hospitals and businesses every day. Water Infrastructure also manages wastewater and stormwater to keep our communities safe,” said Kramer.

Kramer led an outcome-driven discussion and attendees offered contributions that will inform best practices and next steps. For example, the EPA says it will develop an online toolbox with resources for both lenders and recipients and will continue to work with states to ensure funding is reaching communities efficiently and quickly. The EPA reports it will also join states, the water sector and technical assistance providers in forming workgroups that will drive progress on key initiatives identified in the roundtable.

The State Revolving Funds (SRFs) and other programs — like the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan program and the Emerging Contaminants in Small and Disadvantaged Communities grant program — play a key role in ensuring that all Americans have access to clean and safe water. The Drinking Water and Clean Water SRF programs have provided over $265 billion to support 76,000 projects since their creation. They are designed to grow and increase funds available to states for critical water infrastructure upgrades.

The EPA and states share the goal of stewarding taxpayer dollars to effectively and efficiently deliver them to communities to implement projects that upgrade water infrastructure. While the majority of the nation’s SRF programs effectively disburse funding to projects in a timely manner, some programs’ funding can remain uncommitted to new projects for extended periods of time. The roundtable hosted by EPA was the first step in collaboratively working with states, the water sector and communities to develop a common understanding of opportunities to strengthen program implementation and accelerate the pace of funding disbursements for projects to meet community needs faster.

“The National Rural Water Association’s 31,000 water and wastewater utility members applaud Assistant Administrator Jessica Kramer’s leadership in bringing states, water systems and technical assistance providers together to accelerate investments in water infrastructure," said National Rural Water CEO Matt Holmes. "More than 92% of the nation's community water systems serve fewer than 10,000 people, and these small communities are committed to meeting every federal mandate despite lacking the economies of scale of larger systems. Small and rural communities face an average water and wastewater infrastructure need of approximately $13,800 per person, nearly double the $7,800 per capita need in urban counties. This collaborative effort is an important step toward improving access to affordable financing and ensuring these critical resources reach the communities that need them most.”

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund remains one of the most effective tools to address aging infrastructure and emerging challenges, according to Association of State Drinking Water Administrators Executive Director Anthony DeRosa. “ASDWA appreciates EPA's efforts in bringing states, communities, technical assistance providers and water sector partners together to discuss what is working and where we can improve. By working collaboratively to reduce barriers, share best practices and strengthen implementation, we can help ensure these critical investments reach communities more quickly and efficiently while maintaining strong stewardship of taxpayer dollars.”

Learn more about EPA’s water infrastructure programs, including the State Revolving Fund programs.