E.P.A. Declares $19 Million for Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Plans in Nevada

SAN FRANCISCO -The E.P.A. announced in excess of $19 million in backing to Nevada for investments in statewide improvement in local drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and the reduction of water pollution. Nevada's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) provides financing for municipal wastewater treatment projects, while the state's Drinking Water SRF provides financial assistance for drinking water infrastructure improvements.

"This substantial investment at the federal level helps communities develop the infrastructure needed for clean, safe drinking water and proper wastewater treatment," said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA's Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. "EPA is committed to protecting the water resources so important to public health and Nevada's economy."

Funds provided by the state will go to a variety of water quality infrastructure improvement plans throughout Nevada. Clean Water SRF money goes to plans that benefit public health and the environment, such as converting septic systems to sewer, and that increase reliability and sustainability of wastewater through upgrades and renovations to treatment facilities and sewer lines. Drinking Water SRF money is used to address health risks and enhance community and public water systems by supporting plans like groundwater and surface water treatment systems, water storage, transmission and distribution systems, and water metering. For example, the Baker General Improvement District expects to gain over $475,000 to replace a failing water tank with a new 265,000-gallon welded steel tank, which will save thousands of gallons of treated water each year and substantially reduce treatment costs.

Previous Nevada SRF funds have provided $30 million to Clark Co. Water Reclamation District to upgrade to a more conventional tertiary treatment system. The money has gone to ongoing replacement of old treatment filters, installing additional filters and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection systems. These upgrades increase treatment capacity for used water and sewage and reduce capital and operational costs.

E.P.A. has awarded a combined $205.3 million in federal backing for Nevada's Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs since their inception in 1988 and 1996. The funds are used for a wide variety of water quality plans including watershed protection and restoration, water and energy efficiency, wastewater reclamation, and traditional municipal wastewater treatment systems including nonpoint source pollution control. The funds also support drinking water infrastructure, as well as drinking water plant operator training, and technical assistance.

The EPA's Pacific Southwest Region administers and enforces federal environmental laws in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands and 148 tribal nations-home to in excess of 48 million people.

For more information on E.P.A. Region 9's State Revolving Fund program, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/grants/srf-loan-prog.html

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