EPA to invest in drinking water, wastewater infrastructure planning in Johnston, IA.

Lenexa, Kan., Jan. 22, 2016 -- The city of Johnston, Iowa, has been selected as one of 10 communities across the country to receive financial and technical guidance for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure planning from EPA’s new Water Community Assistance for Resiliency and Excellence (WaterCARE) program.

A total of $500,000 will support efforts in the 10 selected communities to develop robust and resilient finance strategies for water infrastructure that meets long-term needs. The communities selected by EPA for WaterCARE assistance are dedicated to increasing community sustainability by financing water infrastructure improvements.

Through WaterCARE, EPA can help communities to conduct financial evaluations including alternatives analyses, rate and revenue studies, water efficiency studies, and resiliency assessments. Services through the program may also include developing asset management programs, identifying financing options and partnership opportunities, and providing public engagement outreach and decision-maker training.

The other nine U.S. communities selected to receive WaterCARE assistance are: Buchanan County, Virginia; the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe, Montana; Gatesville, Texas; Haines Borough, Alaska; the Hoopa Valley Tribe, California; Lawrence, Massachusetts; Selma, Alabama; the Township of South Orange Village, New Jersey; and Youngstown, Ohio.

WaterCARE communities have populations of less than 100,000, a need to address public health challenges, median household income considerations, and readiness to proceed with a capital improvement project. Project successes will be shared with other communities that have similar water infrastructure financing needs.

EPA’s Water Infrastructure Resilience and Finance Center is working in other areas to increase investment in water infrastructure. Learn more at www.epa.gov/waterfinancecenter.