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EPA Gives Puerto Rico $22.8 Million To Improve Drinking Water Systems

Release Date: 09/29/1998
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(#98133) San Juan, P.R. -- The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico will receive $22.8 million dollars from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use in a loan program designed to finance drinking water system infrastructure improvements. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1996 established a low-interest loan program, called the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, to help local water suppliers make improvements to their systems. The program places special emphasis on small and disadvantaged communities and on projects that encourage pollution prevention.

"For years, EPA has successfully granted money to be used by the Commonwealth in revolving funds that local communities make improvements to their sewage treatment systems. Now, we are capitalizing on that success to improve drinking water systems," said Jeanne M. Fox, EPA Region 2 Administrator. "The Commonwealth's revolving fund will make a real difference. Improvements funded by this and other loan programs help ensure that all Puerto Ricans, especially those in small or poor communities, have safe, clean drinking water."

Puerto Rico will match EPA's capitalization money with 20% to seed a revolving loan program, which will finance six drinking water projects worth $24.5 million throughout the Island. The revolving fund money will be used not only for the construction of needed drinking water facilities, but also to implement programs that will help Puerto Rico better assess drinking water conditions, enhance operator certification programs and provide technical assistance to small communities. The funds will be available through the Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority (PRIFA).

For more information contact:
Mary Mears, Press Office
EPA Region 2
290 Broadway
NY, NY 10007-1866
Voice: 212-637-3669 FAX: 212-637-5046 E-Mail: [email protected]