CHICAGO (Feb. 20, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $177 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Michigan drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades. The funding is part of the more than $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.”
“Too many communities struggle to keep up with the costs of maintaining the pipes and pumps and systems to treat drinking water, convey wastewater and manager stormwater, let along updating them,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Today’s announcement is yet another financial boost for our state and local partners working to protect human health and the environment as they manage our water resources and strive to improve quality of life.”
“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continues to deliver for Michigan. This new investment will improve our water systems, clean up pollution, keep our drinking water safe, fix old pipes, and more. Step-by-step, this law is making our state a safer, better place for families to live,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
“Thanks to the historic clean water investments we made in the bipartisan infrastructure law, more Michiganders and Americans across the country are gaining access to safe drinking water,” said Sen. Gary Peters. “I welcome this announcement that more than $176 million of this federal support is coming to Michigan to provide our communities with the resources needed to modernize their drinking water systems.”
“In the richest country in the world, access to safe, affordable drinking water should be a right, not a privilege,” said Rep. Dan Kildee. “I’m proud to have helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is creating thousands of good-paying jobs and putting Michiganders to work replacing lead pipes and improving water systems. In Congress, I will continue fighting to bring federal resources home to mid-Michigan.”
“Clean and safe water is a fundamental human right, which is why we fought to include this critical funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell. “These investments will help support water access for low-income households and strengthen our drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. I continue to fight in Congress to make sure water is clean, affordable, and accessible for all American families, and will work with our state and local partners to ensure this funding reaches the communities where it is most needed.”
“Access to clean water is not a privilege but a fundamental human right,” said Rep. Rashida Tlaib. “Every American, no matter their zip code, should have safe drinking water. I am glad to see the EPA expanding access to clean water and investing in wastewater and stormwater infrastructure in our communities in Southeast Michigan.”
“In West Michigan, water is our way of life. Everyone deserves access to clean water, and thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re making that happen for Michiganders in every corner of our state,” said Rep. Hillary Scholten. “This $176 million investment will help preserve our critical stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water infrastructure for decades to come.”
“I am profoundly encouraged by the announcement of $176.8 million in funding for Michigan under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, marking a monumental step towards revitalizing our state’s water infrastructure,” said Rep. Shri Thanedar. “This investment is not just about repairing pipes and treatment facilities; it’s about renewing our commitment to public health, environmental protection, and ensuring equitable water access for all, especially in underserved communities. My focus remains steadfast on working tirelessly to direct these vital resources to where they are most critically needed, ensuring that every family in our district benefits from clean, safe water.”
“This historic investment in water infrastructure funding will help communities make lasting improvements in the quality of Michigander’s drinking water,” said Phil Roos, director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. “With more than half of EGLE’s budget going into Michigan communities in the form of grants and loans, this added federal funding will accelerate the modernization of community water systems across our state and lead to cleaner drinking water for Michigan families.”
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 Michigan 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 in additional resources in fiscal year 2024 for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line Replacement fund later this Spring.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Action in Michigan
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected $629 million into water infrastructure projects across the state protecting public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs.
To view stories about how the unprecedented 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 some 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.