E.P.A. ACKNOWLEDGES RECOVERY ACT WATER RE-USE PLAN IN RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA

(ATLANTA - August 20, 2010) Today, E.P.A. (EPA) Acting Regional Administrator Stan Meiburg joined state and local officials in Raleigh, North Carolina to recognize the city's Water Re-use green infrastructure project. This project, estimated to cost approximately $465,735, is partially funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), through the State Revolving Fund.

"This Recovery plan is a long term investment in the community and the environment," said Acting E.P.A. Regional Administrator Stan Meiburg. "This plan demonstrates EPA's commitment to helping communities support water reuse and conservation."

The water re-use plan involves a system of cisterns installed at eleven Raleigh fire stations to harvest rainwater from the roofs of the stations for use by the firefighters when cleaning equipment or vehicles. At some of the stations, the water is used for irrigation in gardens. The system reduces demand on Raleigh's drinking water supply, promotes water conservation, decreases stormwater runoff, reduces water pollution, and serves as an educational tool for the community on the possibilities of rainwater harvesting.

The plan received almost $280,000 in ARRA funds with $140,000 to be paid back as a 20-year, no interest loan. The city also received $125,000 in grant funds from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund for the project, leaving the cost to the city at just $14,500. Because 2 of the sites are operated by Wake County, the Co. will also share in the repayment of the remaining balance.

In 2009, E.P.A. was entrusted with $7.2 billion dollars to invest in our economy --- to rebuild critical infrastructure in our communities; to invest in jobs that would put our citizens back to work and to rekindle a strong and thriving economy. In that short year, E.P.A. has worked diligently to move that money into the hands of our partners and to clear the way for rapid investments in construction, land reuse and redevelopment.

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Feb. 17, 2009 and directed 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 www.Recovery.gov.

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