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EPA Announces More Than $146 Million in Recovery Act Funds for Water Infrastructure Projects in Missouri to Boost Economy, Create Jobs and Protect the Environment

Release Date: 08/19/2009
Contact Information: Kris Lancaster, (913) 551-7557, [email protected]

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Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kansas City, Kan., August 19, 2009) - In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, improve aging water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment for the people of Missouri, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $146,503,800 to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. This new infusion of money provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will help the state and local governments finance many of the overdue improvements to water projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment.

“This funding will go a long way toward fixing aging infrastructure in urban and rural communities in Missouri,” said William Rice, acting regional administrator. “Clean water is essential for both healthy communities and healthy local economies. These funds will help fix aging infrastructure and provide good-paying jobs.”

The Recovery Act funds will go to the state's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program will receive $108,641,800. It provides low-interest loans for water quality protection projects for wastewater treatment, non-point source pollution control, and watershed and estuary management. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program will receive $37,862,000. It provides low-interest loans for drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements. The program also emphasizes providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities and to programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water.

An unprecedented $6 billion will be awarded to fund water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the country under the Recovery Act in the form of low interest loans, principal forgiveness and grants. At least 20 percent of the funds provided under the Recovery Act are to be used for green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency improvements and other environmentally innovative projects.

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) on February 17, 2009 and has directed that 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 http://www.recovery.gov.