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EPA IMPLEMENTS $50 MILLION HARDSHIP GRANTS PROGRAM FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES' WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS
Release Date: 03/21/97
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1997
EPA IMPLEMENTS $50 MILLION HARDSHIP GRANTS PROGRAM
FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES' WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS
FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES' WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS
EPA is implementing a new $50 million grant program to help rural, disadvantaged communities with fewer than 3,000 residents address their wastewater treatment needs. On March 20, EPA released guidelines and a funding allotment for the program. The Hardship Grants Program for Rural Communities was authorized by 1996 congressional appropriations. Many small, rural communities have outdated or failing on-site wastewater treatment systems, but often lack the resources to improve service. Such communities can qualify for assistance if: they lack access to centralized wastewater treatment or collection systems; need improvements to on-site treatment systems; per capita income is less than 80 percent of the national average; the unemployment rate exceeds the national average by one percentage point or more; and the proposed project will improve public health or reduce environmental risk. The Hardship Grants Program will be implemented in conjunction with the Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan program, which offers low-interest loans for wastewater treatment and other water-quality projects. Under the new Hardship Grants program, EPA will provide grants to the states, who in turn will provide hardship assistance to communities. For information on getting copies of the guidelines or for additional information, the general public can call Stephanie von Feck at 202-260-2268. The guidelines are also available via Internet at https://www.epa.gov/owm/wm042002.htm.
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