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EPA RECOGNIZES RECOVERY ACT WATER RE-USE PROJECT IN RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA

Release Date: 08/20/2010
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, [email protected]

(ATLANTA – August 20, 2010) Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Regional Administrator Stan Meiburg joined state and local officials in Raleigh, NC to recognize the city’s Water Re-use green infrastructure project. This project, estimated to cost approximately $465,735, is partially funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), through the State Revolving Fund.

“This Recovery project is a long term investment in the community and the environment,” said Acting EPA Regional Administrator Stan Meiburg. “This project demonstrates EPA’s commitment to helping communities support water reuse and conservation.”

The water re-use project involves a system of cisterns installed at 11 Raleigh fire stations to harvest rainwater from the roofs of the stations for use by the firefighters when cleaning equipment or vehicles. At some of the stations, the water is used for irrigation in gardens. The system reduces demand on Raleigh's drinking water supply, promotes water conservation, decreases stormwater runoff, reduces water pollution, and serves as an educational tool for the community on the possibilities of rainwater harvesting.

The project received almost $280,000 in ARRA funds with $140,000 to be paid back as a 20-year, no interest loan. The city also received $125,000 in grant funds from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund for the project, leaving the cost to the city at just $14,500. Because two of the sites are operated by Wake County, the county will also share in the repayment of the remaining balance.

In 2009, EPA was entrusted with $7.2 billion dollars to invest in our economy --- to rebuild critical infrastructure in our communities; to invest in jobs that would put our citizens back to work and to rekindle a strong and thriving economy. In that short year, EPA has worked diligently to move that money into the hands of our partners and to clear the way for rapid investments in construction, land reuse and redevelopment.

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Feb. 17, 2009 and directed the Recovery Act be implemented with unprecedented transparency and accountability. To that end, the American people can see how every dollar is being invested at www.Recovery.gov.