EPA Press Office:

Biden-Harris Administration announces $42 million for Delaware drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure upgrades as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda

Unprecedented funding from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is transforming communities across the state

Philadelphia (Feb. 20, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $42 million  from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Delaware drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. The funding is part of the over $50 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – the largest such investment in American history. Today’s announcement will support essential water infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies across the state. Almost half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans, ensuring funds reach underserved communities most in need of investments in water infrastructure.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda continues to transform communities for the better with this latest infusion of funds for critical water infrastructure projects,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With $50 billion in total, the largest investment in water infrastructure in our nation’s history, EPA will enable communities across the nation to ensure safer drinking water for their residents and rebuild vital clean water infrastructure to protect public health for decades to come.”

“Since 2022, funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has enabled EPA to distribute more than $2 billion across the mid-Atlantic region to spur new and necessary investments in water quality,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “Thanks to this historic funding, more communities will receive the clean and safe drinking water that every American deserves.”

“The infrastructure investments championed by President Biden and Delaware’s congressional delegation have given Delaware and its communities the resources to nearly double our ability to repair and upgrade drinking water and wastewater systems,”  said Governor John Carney. “This will be the third year of increased federal funding for water systems, and with additional projects happening around the state, we are making our water systems cleaner and more reliable.”

“Access to clean, safe and reliable water is essential for our health, economy and environment. That’s why the Environment and Public Works Committee’s efforts on clean water infrastructure served as the foundation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Senator Tom Carper, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “I’m glad to see that Delaware is now receiving an additional $43 million, thanks this legislation, to invest in our drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.”

“I’m glad that $43 million in investments towards clean water are coming home to Delaware as a result of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Senator Chris Coons. “These essential investments in water infrastructure will help improve water quality for families up and down our state and also create good-paying jobs for Delawareans as these projects move forward. This is just one of the many reasons I worked hard to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I can’t wait to see the continued good it will do for Delawareans for decades to come.”

“Since coming to Congress I’ve remained focused on ensuring that communities across Delaware have access to clean and safe drinking water. Today’s robust announcement of over $42 million in funding for our Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds – made possible by the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – brings us one step closer to making that a reality throughout the First State,” said Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester. “I’m proud to have secured this funding alongside Senators Carper and Coons for these critical investments in Delaware’s clean water infrastructure that will undoubtedly improve public health and our quality of life.”

Communities across the country are facing water infrastructure challenges. Many cities and towns have aging water infrastructure – old, broken or lead pipes carrying drinking water and wastewater treatment plants in need of major upgrades.  Some communities struggle to maintain adequate stormwater infrastructure to effectively manage flood impacts from climate change and others need to upgrade their water treatment to address emerging contaminants like PFAS.

The funding EPA announced for Delaware  is part of a $5.8 billion investment through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), one of EPA’s signature water investment programs. This multi-billion-dollar investment will fund state-run, low-interest loan programs to address key challenges, with $2.6 billion going to the Clean Water SRF for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure and $3.2 billion going to the Drinking Water SRF for drinking water infrastructure nationwide. Today’s announcement includes allotments for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law General Supplemental funds and Emerging Contaminant funds for SRF programs for fiscal year 2024. EPA anticipates announcing allocations for billions of dollars in additional resources for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line Replacement fund later this spring.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Action in Delaware

Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected $174.9 million into water infrastructure projects across the state protecting public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs.

To view stories about how the unpreceded investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are transforming communities across the country, visit EPA’s new Investing in America’s Water Infrastructure Storymap. To read more about some additional projects that are underway, see EPA’s recently released Quarterly Report on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funded Clean Water and Drinking Water SRF projects.

Background

The Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and the Clean Water State Revolving Funds have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments for more than 30 years, providing low-cost financing for local projects across America. SRF programs are critically important programs for investing in the nation’s water infrastructure. They are designed to generate significant and sustainable water quality and public health benefits across the country. Their impact is amplified by the growth inherent in a revolving loan structure – payment of principal and interest on loans made are available to address future needs.

For more information, including state-by-state allocation of 2024 funding, and a breakdown of EPA State Revolving Fund funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, please visit the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund website and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund website.

For further information: R3press@epa.gov