EPA announces $210 Million for Ohio 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
CHICAGO (Feb. 20, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced more than $210 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Ohio 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 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law I helped to enact in 2021 continues to make historic investments in critical community infrastructure, including water, and wastewater systems in Ohio, and across the nation,” said Rep. Marcy Kaptur. “The investments announced today in the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds will help ensure that the citizens across Northwest Ohio and our Buckeye State have access to clean, safe drinking water, and will help to protect the health of Lake Erie and the freshwater kingdom of the Great Lakes.”
"Access to clean water is a human right, and our municipalities must receive the necessary support to continue providing this vital service to our communities. That's why I'm so pleased to announce this $209 million investment into Ohio’s water infrastructure," said Rep. Joyce Beatty. "Thanks to the resources we've provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, our communities will be better prepared to repair and replace pipes, ensuring our water remains safe to drink for or years to come."
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is once again delivering for Ohio. You cannot have healthy communities without clean water and access to clean water and adequate water infrastructure has historically been an acute issue for underserved communities. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Biden Administration is investing in clean water like never before. This is good news for Northeast Ohio and communities across the state,” said Rep. Shontel Brown.
“Americans should have access to safe and clean water,” said Rep. Greg Landsman. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to invest in critical resources for our communities, contributing to a healthier environment for Ohioans.”
“Just over a week ago, I was glad to welcome U.S EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator Bruno Pigott to celebrate a $46 million investment to repair Canton’s water infrastructure. Now, I’m proud to announce that Ohio will receive yet another $209 million for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund made possible by the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, bringing even more money back to our communities to improve our water infrastructure and lower water costs for Northeast Ohioans. As the Vice Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I am proud to support these investments that will improve the health of our communities and ensure our water remains safe and affordable,” said Rep. Emilia Sykes.
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 Ohio 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 Ohio
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has injected $814 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.