LENEXA, KAN. (FEB. 20, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $43,473,000 from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Nebraska 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 that 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.”
“State Revolving Funds make water protection and progress possible for cities of all sizes,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meghan A. McCollister. “This Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investment will allow Nebraskans to better address the needs and challenges that arise with aging water infrastructure.”
“The water infrastructure in Omaha is aging and we are seeing an increase in pipes breaking,” said U.S. Representative Don Bacon (NE-02). “One of the reasons I supported the bipartisan infrastructure bill was I saw a need for replacing our water infrastructure as well as hardening our power grid.”
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 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The funding EPA announced for Nebraska is part of a $5.8 billion investment through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs), which are among 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 Nebraska
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected over $176 million into water infrastructure projects across the state, protecting public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs.
The city of Hastings, Nebraska, is using $2 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to inventory lead service lines that will be replaced – the first community in the state to use this funding to do so. Since kick-starting their efforts and sharing their experience and progress with other communities, Hastings has helped communities across Nebraska procure $84 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and accelerate their efforts to ensure safe, reliable drinking water for families and children.
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 Story Map.
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 Clean Water and Drinking Water SRFs 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 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 SRF funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, please visit the Clean Water SRF website and the Drinking Water SRF website.
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