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EPA Grants Help Maryland Communities Improve Water Quality

Release Date: 11/4/1999
Contact Information: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

PHILADELPHIA - Public health in Maryland will be enhanced through two grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency totaling $34.7 million that are designated to improve water quality throughout the state.

“These grants are important in maintaining public health. EPA is committed to helping communities get safe, clean, water,” said W. Michael McCabe, EPA’s mid-Atlantic regional administrator.

One grant for $32.5 million from EPA’s clean water state revolving fund was awarded to the Maryland Department of the Environment to provide low interest loans to 18 communities to construct wastewater treatment plants. The state contributes a $6.5 million matching share. These funds will also help pay for storm water management and stream bank restoration.

The second grant of $2.2 million also went to the Maryland Department of the Environment to support state prevention programs such as source water protection and operator certification of water supply systems. This grant is from EPA’s drinking water state revolving fund program to help ensure that the drinking water supplies remain safe, affordable and are properly operated and maintained.

Maryland has received $377.1 million for the clean water state revolving funds over the last 10 years and $29.9 million for the drinking water state revolving fund over the last three years. As communities repay their loans, the money becomes available for other wastewater projects in the state.