New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board Works to Improve Local Water

EPA Press Release:

New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board Works to Improve Local Water

                                          

DALLAS – (July 17, 2014) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarding $60,000 to the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans to implement a Green Infrastructure Monitoring Project. The project will improve local water quality, support community revitalization and other local priorities.

“Restoration of Urban Waters will improve public health, provide additional recreational opportunities and boost the local economy,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. “Work by grant awardees and partner state agencies makes certain the area continues to benefit our communities for many years to come.”

EPA is awarding $2.08 million to 36 organizations in 17 states and Puerto Rico, ranging from $40,000 to $60,000.  The projects are in areas that align with the 18 designated Urban Waters Federal Partnership locations. The Urban Waters Federal Partnership includes 14 federal agencies working to reconnect urban communities with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies and community-led revitalization efforts. 

The grant, provided through EPA’s Urban Waters program, supports communities in their efforts to access and improve urban waters. Urban waters include canals, rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers, estuaries, bays and oceans in urbanized areas. The program will allow communities to benefit from increased access to natural areas.

Many urban waterways have been polluted for years by sewage, runoff from city streets and contamination from abandoned industrial facilities. Healthy and accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance economic, educational, recreational and social opportunities in nearby communities. By reconnecting communities to their local urban waters, EPA will help communities actively participate in restoring urban waters while improving their neighborhoods.

Information on EPA’s Urban Waters program: http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters 

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Activities in EPA Region 6: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.htm 

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