Issued: Feb 24, 2023 (4:43pm EST)
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $94,815,000 for Clean Water Infrastructure Upgrades Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in New Jersey
NEW JERSEY– Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $94,815,000 to New Jersey from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure through this year's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The funding will support New Jersey communities in upgrading essential water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure that protects public health and treasured water bodies. Nearly half of this funding will be available as grants or principal forgiveness loans helping underserved communities across America invest in water infrastructure, while creating good-paying jobs.
"President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering an unprecedented investment in America that will revitalize essential water and wastewater infrastructure across the country," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Not only will these funds expand access to clean water and safeguard the environment, but more underserved communities that have been left behind for far too long will be able to access them."
"This major investment, awarded through the groundbreaking Bipartisan Infrastructure Law translates into replacing or repairing aging wastewater infrastructure, implementing water reuse and recycling, addressing stormwater and addressing the risks from emerging contaminants," said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "EPA is committed to getting these critical water resources to underserved and disadvantaged communities."
"From our rural towns to our urban centers, communities across New Jersey have deep needs for investments in sewer and stormwater infrastructure," said Shawn M. LaTourette, the State's Commissioner of Environmental Protection. "With added support from the Biden-Harris Administration and through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, our Water Infrastructure Investment Plan is helping to ensure cleaner waterways by improving treatment facilities, remediating historic combined sewer overflows, and reducing risks from emerging contaminants like PFAS."
"Clean water is essential for safeguarding public health and protecting our environment, and I'm proud to have secured this funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," said Senator Bob Menendez. "These federal dollars will help communities across our state upgrade stormwater, wastewater, and other vital infrastructure and protect the waterways that we depend upon. I appreciate the Biden Administration's continued commitment to promoting healthy ecosystems and ensuring that every community across the country has access to safe, clean water."
"Since its enactment, the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act has delivered crucial funding to underserved communities in New Jersey to upgrade their aging wastewater infrastructure to protect public health," said Senator Cory Booker. "This next tranche of funding will allow more water infrastructure projects in our state to be completed, which will pay dividends for years to come."
Congressman Donald Norcross said, "South Jersey's water infrastructure is critically important, from ensuring our drinking water is free of harmful 'forever chemicals' to mitigating flooding after storms and natural disasters. I'm proud to have supported this funding and remain committed to ensuring South Jersey gets its fair share. Not only will this investment increase the quality of life for New Jersey families, it'll also create good-paying jobs for the women and men who are doing the hard work of improving our state and national infrastructure."
"Providing clean drinking water to our citizens is absolutely critical. It is no secret that America's pipe systems are aging and must be fixed, which is why the federal government must be making these types of investments, right here at home for the American people. South Jersey is also home to incredible nature areas where water plays a critical role in wildlife, tourism, and industry. Funding recovery and preservation of our water sources through this program and others like it, is crucial to the growth of our communities across South Jersey," said Congressman Jeff Van Drew.
"Everyone deserves to feel confident that their local water is safe, clean, and protected. I am proud to have voted for the bipartisan infrastructure law to deliver critical investments like this to meet New Jersey's most pressing needs," said Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03). "These funds are going towards key challenges like water contamination and climate change while also providing resources to underserved communities and creating good-paying jobs in a greener economy. I am excited for all the opportunities this funding unlocks for our environment, economy, and local water infrastructure needs, and will be following this project closely through to its conclusion."
"With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill that I proudly helped shape and pass, we're helping ensure families have clean water for decades to come — an area I've been laser-focused on. That means getting lead and forever chemicals out of our drinking water and making significant investments to address water pollution in communities across the country — all while creating millions of jobs," said U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05).
"Our nation's water infrastructure is in desperate need of repair and has suffered from underinvestment for far too long. That's why today's announcement is great news for our state and our residents. These funds will help make critical upgrades to our water and wastewater infrastructure and improve and protect our valuable water resources all at the same time," Congressman Frank Pallone said. "I'm glad to see that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is continuing to deliver on the promise to improve our state's infrastructure, and I'll keep fighting to ensure that our communities have access to clean water."
"The over $94 million dollars coming to New Jersey to improve our water infrastructure and enhance the resilience, safety, and modernization of our community water resources is an essential step forward," said Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08). "These necessary funds continue to deliver on the Biden Administration's promise to invest in our cities and towns that are dealing with water infrastructure challenges related to climate change or potential water contaminants, especially those communities that have been historically underserved. I look forward to continuing to work with President Biden and the EPA to implement the transformational Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's investments that will improve public health and create jobs across the state and the 8th District."
"I am thrilled that the Biden administration is investing over $94 million to upgrade New Jersey's critical water infrastructure. Congressional Democrats included funding to improve water infrastructure in our Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act because we knew our communities needed federal support to ensure clean water for New Jersey families. This investment will ensure that our water systems are modernized, improving public health and protecting our cherished water bodies. By creating jobs and building a sustainable future, this funding will bring immeasurable benefits to our New Jersey communities." – U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.
"I was proud to help New Jersey secure more than $94 million for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to provide clean drinking water across our state," said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. "This issue is extremely important to me because my Congressional district has been hit with major storms, such as Hurricanes Sandy and Ida, which created issues with stormwater and wastewater. Overall, I helped secure $169 million to improve New Jersey's water infrastructure in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help our state. All Americans deserve clean drinking water."
"In New Jersey, we are all too familiar with the impact of aging water infrastructure, resulting in PFAS contaminations, lead pipelines still in service, and frequent main breaks," said Rep. Mikie Sherrill. "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I was proud to champion in Congress, is making a historic down payment to address our long-neglected water systems. This new funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund will allow local governments in New Jersey to save tax dollars and address infrastructure challenges, bringing significant public health, environmental, and economic benefits to our communities."
"Safe drinking water is a human right, yet far too many people in New Jersey and across the country lack access to it. We have a national water crisis and must act now," said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. "I'm grateful for this investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will clean up PFAS 'forever chemicals' in New Jersey's water and protect our most vulnerable communities."
Examples of progress in New Jersey under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law involves focused work in the cities of Camden and Paterson to address Combined Sewer Overflow projects to comply with state permits and prevent untreated sewage discharges and flooding. The volume of wastewater can sometimes exceed the capacity of the combined sewer system or treatment plant. When this occurs, untreated stormwater and wastewater, discharges directly to nearby streams, rivers, and other waterbodies. These much-needed investments are critical to supporting local governments and revitalizing communities.
Today's announcement is part of the $2.4 billion announced as part of the second wave of funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and builds on the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to invest in America. In May 2022, EPA announced the initial allotment of $1.9 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to states, Tribes and territories through the CWSRF. That money is supporting hundreds of critical water infrastructure projects around the country.
President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes over $50 billion available for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements across the country between FY2022 and FY2026. EPA is committed to ensuring every community has access to this historic investment and has centralized increasing investment in disadvantaged communities within its implementation. This investment in water infrastructure is creating jobs while addressing key challenges, including climate change and emerging contaminants like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law calls for strong collaboration, and EPA continues to work in partnership with states, Tribes, and territories to ensure that communities see the full benefits of this investment.
In addition to today's announcement, the 2023 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund allocations and program updates are forthcoming, pending the release of the seventh Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. EPA anticipates releasing the information in the coming weeks.
The CWSRFs have been the foundation of water infrastructure investments for more than 30 years, providing low-cost financing for local projects across America. For more information, including state-by-state allocation of 2023 funding, and a breakdown of EPA CWSRF funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/cwsrf .
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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