EPA to establish National Stormwater Centers of Excellence with $3 million grant program

(UI) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $3 million through its Centers of Excellence for Stormwater Infrastructure Technologies grant program to expand stormwater infrastructure solutions across the country. EPA is seeking applicants to establish national Centers of Excellence for Stormwater Infrastructure Technologies. Eligible applicants for the funding include institutions of higher education, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations.

Stormwater is a significant source of water pollution as it can collect various pollutants including trash, chemicals, oils and sediment and move them to nearby waterways. When mixed with domestic and industrial wastewater in combined sewers, stormwater can also contribute to combined sewer overflows during heavy storm events.

Once selected, the Stormwater Centers of Excellence will develop and enhance stormwater best practices by conducting research on new and emerging stormwater control infrastructure technologies and alternative funding approaches; providing technical assistance to state, Tribal and local governments; and collaborating with regional institutions. 

“Milwaukee is home to a growing clean water economy that is supporting cutting edge technologies. The National Stormwater Centers of Excellence program will fund vital water research efforts in institutions across the country, helping us better protect our communities from stormwater runoff that can pollute local waterways, especially as changing climate may result in stronger storms,” said Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04). 

“In New Hampshire and across the country, outdated and inadequate stormwater management systems can lead to less resilient communities and increased public health risks,” said Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01). “I fought to include the National Stormwater Centers of Excellence program in the bipartisan infrastructure law and secured funding through the annual appropriations process so that we can support and coordinate research and development in stormwater control technology. These centers will help increase climate resiliency and safeguard water quality in our communities.”

Many communities struggle to address stormwater issues because of the costs associated with construction, operation and maintenance of the necessary infrastructure, and because their systems were built for the rain and storm patterns of the last century. In addition, a number of communities across the nation need practical stormwater technologies and the scientific understanding of those technologies to effectively implement stormwater management solutions.

The Centers of Excellence for Stormwater Infrastructure Technologies grant program was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which also invests more than $50 billion in water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure solutions across the country to protect public health and treasured waterways and create new green opportunities for communities.

In addition to the new Centers for Excellence, funding will also support the creation of a national electronic clearinghouse that contains information relating to new and emerging stormwater control infrastructure technologies.

“Climate stress is often felt as water stress, and improving stormwater infrastructure is critical to helping communities and ecosystems be resilient for the future,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox.

 

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