E.P.A. Declares $121.6 Million Recovery Act Funds for Water Infrastructure Plans in Maryland to Boost Economy, Create Jobs and Protect Public Health

(PHILADELPHIA, June 2, 2009) In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, enhance aging water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment for the people in the State of Maryland, the E.P.A. (EPA) has awarded over $121.6 million to the Maryland Department of the Environment. 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 enhancements to water plans that are essential to protecting public health and the environment across the state.

"Maryland now has the 'green light' to fund plans that will protect public health, upgrade infrastructure, and invigorate local economies across the state," said William C. Early, acting administrator of EPA's mid-Atlantic region. "This financing is significant when you consider that the state is poised to fund a plan in every Maryland county."

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund plan will gain $94.78 million. It provides low-interest loans for water quality protection plans for wastewater treatment, non-point source pollution control, and watershed and estuary management. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund plan will gain $26.83 million. It provides low-interest loans for drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements. The plan also emphasizes providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities and to programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water.

Many of the clean water plans will aid in the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and watershed, helping to reduce excess nutrients from wastewater treatment plants and other sources by upgrading waste water treatment plants, sewer and water main upgrades and other much needed infrastructure plans which are in the Bay watershed.

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

President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 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 Recovery.gov.

Information on EPA's implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 visit http://www.epa.gov/recovery

Information on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, visit: http://www.epa.gov/owm/cwfinance/cwsrf/index.htm

Information on the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, visit http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwsrf/

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