E.P.A. Provides State of New Hampshire $22.7 Million for Water Infrastructure Plans

BOSTON - The E.P.A. has awarded $22.7 million to the State of New Hampshire to help finance enhancements to water plans that are essential to protecting public health and the environment. The funds will be primarily used to upgrade sewage plants and drinking water systems, as well as replacing aging infrastructure, throughout the state.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program, administered by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), received $13.9 million. EPA's backing provides low-interest loans for water quality protection plans to make enhancements to wastewater treatment systems, control pollution from stormwater runoff, and protect sensitive water bodies and estuaries.

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program, also administrated by NHDES, received $8.8 million. EPA's backing provides low-interest loans to finance enhancements to drinking water systems, with a particular focus on providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities and to programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water.

"This backing will pay for plans that enhance water quality and protect drinking water across New Hampshire, and will provide benefits for decades to come," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "Clean drinking water and proper wastewater treatment are fundamental to protecting people's health, but aging water infrastructure needs to be upgraded and repaired. EPA's backing will help continue New Hampshire's plan to invest in drinking water and wastewater systems and protect people's health."

"New Hampshire lives on water and this backing will help our cities and towns to deliver our drinking water, manage our storm water, and clean our wastewater. It is critical for New Hampshire communities to take advantage of the low-interest loans that this backing provides to ensure that quality and affordable water supplies and treatment systems are accessible to all New Hampshire communities," said Tom Burack, NHDES Commissioner.

Since the beginning of this program, E.P.A. has awarded close to $600 million to New Hampshire for the construction, expansion and upgrading of clean water infrastructure resulting in decreased pollutant loadings to waterbodies throughout the state.

As communities develop and climate patterns shift, water infrastructure needs are expected to grow. Green infrastructure is a cost-effective and resilient approach to water infrastructure needs that provides benefits to communities across the nation.

More information:

- EPA's Clean Water State Revolving Fund: http://www2.epa.gov/cwsrf
- EPA's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund: http://www2.epa.gov/drinkingwatersrf

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