EPA has announced the availability of FY 2005 congressional appropriations funding for the Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs.
The Safe Drinking Water Act allows EPA to delegate primary enforcement responsibility to states, territories, or tribes that meet specific requirements so that they may implement and enforce drinking water regulations and programs. EPA is making $99,745,600 in PWSS grant funding available to help states, territories, and tribes support drinking water programs. Of that amount, EPA is reserving $6,419,900 in funding for tribes and Alaska Native Villages.
EPA is also announcing the availability of $843,200,000 in funding to support DWSRF programs, which provide states with financing for public water system infrastructure improvements. States have used federal capitalization grant funds to establish low interest loan programs for public water systems. Projects eligible for funding include upgrades to treatment facilities, eligible storage facilities, and distribution systems. Since the program began in 1997, states have provided nearly $8 billion in low interest loans to public water systems within their states.
States, territories, and tribes may apply for funding through their EPA Regional Offices. Additional information about the PWSS and DWSRF programs, including the amount of grant funding available to each state, can be found at:
PWSS: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/pws/grants/
DWSRF: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwsrf/alltments/
Water Plant Operator Pleads Guilty to Falsifying Data
Danny Hurd, former drinking water plant operator for the First Utility District of Hawkins County, Tenn., pleaded guilty to falsifying drinking water measurements. He faces a maximum possible sentence of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000.
The plea states that from early 2000 to late 2002 the defendant falsified chlorine measurements of drinking water samples to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Falsifying drinking water reports makes it difficult for regulators to determine if the drinking water delivered to households is safe for consumption.
The case was investigated by the Knoxville, Tenn., Office of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. attorney’s office in Greenville, Tenn.
EPA Makes Grants Available For National Beach Program
EPA is making $9.92 million in grants available to eligible states to protect public health at the Nation’s beaches. These grants help coastal and Great Lakes states implement programs to monitor water quality at the beach and to notify the public when water quality problems exist.
State and local health and environmental protection agencies monitor the quality of water at the Nation’s beaches. When bacteria levels in the water are too high, there is greater risk of people becoming sick. So when monitoring indicates bacteria levels are too high, these agencies post beach warnings or close the beach. State and local monitoring and notification programs differ across the country and provide different levels of protection for swimmers.
In 2005, EPA expects distribute funds to states and territories who apply based on the allocation formula used in 2004. Based on this allocation formula, implementation grant awards range from $150,000 to $537,390, assuming that all 35 eligible states and territories apply.
For more information on the Beach grants, please contact your regional grant coordinator or Rich Healy at 202-566-0405 ([email protected]). Also check the main beach grant page for data requirements, the official federal register notice, and application forms at: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/grants/fy05fs.htm WW
