EPA
Provides Puerto Rico $46 Million for
Clean
Water Projects
Contact:
John Martin, (212) 637-3662, martin.johnj@epa.gov
(New York, N.Y. – October 17, 2012) The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $46 million to Puerto Rico to help
finance improvements to water projects that are essential to protecting public
health and the environment. The funds will primarily be used to upgrade sewage
plants and drinking water systems throughout the island.
“The
EPA is committed to improving water quality throughout Puerto Rico,” said EPA
Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. "This funding will help Puerto Rico
communities upgrade their drinking water and sewage treatment systems, both of
which are imperative for healthy communities.”
The
Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, administrated by the Puerto Rico
Environmental Quality Board, received $37,693,000. The program 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, including the San Juan Bay estuary.
The
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, administered by the Puerto Rico
Department of Health, received $8,975,000. The program 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.
Since
1989, the EPA has awarded $652 million to Puerto Rico through these
programs.
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 http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwsrf/.
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EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2
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