EPA invests $278 million to improve water infrastructure for Tribes, Alaska Native Villages
(UI) — The Biden-Harris administration has announced over $278 million in funding to improve access to safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater services for American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages.
Thanks to the boost from President Biden’s historic Investing in America agenda, this year, EPA is providing its largest investment ever of annual water infrastructure funding to Tribes. The funding will help Tribes and Alaska Native Villages make significant investments in water infrastructure improvements to advance public health protections by improving compliance with existing water regulations, identifying and replacing lead service lines, and addressing harmful emerging contaminants in drinking water and wastewater, such as per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS).
“For too long, Tribes have struggled without access to basic water services—impacting their health and economic well-being. Today’s funding announcement is a generational investment that moves us closer to achieving a future where all Tribes have access to safe drinking water and wastewater services,” said Assistant EPA Administrator for Water Radhika Fox.
The funding for various programs will be administered as follows. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual appropriation funds, there will be $64 million allocated in FY 2023 for the Clean Water Indian Set-Aside (CWISA).
Additionally, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual appropriation funds will provide $130.3 million in FY 2023 for Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants. The combined Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Tribal Grant Program will receive $38.6 million, covering both FY 2022 and FY 2023, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds. For the Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities (SUDC) Tribal Grant Program, a total of $5.6 million from annual appropriation funds will be allocated for FY 2022 and FY 2023.
Lastly, the Alaska Rural and Native Villages (ANV) Grant Program will receive $39.6 million in FY 2023, sourced from annual appropriation funds.
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