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New Jersey receives $66M to combat water contamination

The Garden State was awarded more than $66 million in grants Feb. 13 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address emerging contaminants in the state’s drinking water.

The funding comes from the EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The effort promotes access to safe and clean water in small, rural and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies.

The $66.1 million the state received was part of a $2 billion round of funding allotted by the EPA, which they said can be used to prioritize infrastructure and source water treatment for pollutants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants, and to conduct water quality testing.

U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Lisa Garcia said that this funding is part of the once-in-a-lifetime investments to transform infrastructure under the BIL.

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“EPA is working with our state’s partners to deliver clean water to communities, protect public health, and advance environmental justice across New Jersey and the nation,” said Garcia.

Gov. Phil Murphy said that the allocation demonstrates a shared commitment to clean water and healthy environments, thanking the state’s congressional delegation for their efforts to help secure the funding.

“New Jersey can now double its efforts to protect our children and families from emerging contaminants like PFAS,” said Murphy. “These efforts will prove especially vital for out state’s rural and underserved communities, which deserve equitable and reliable access to safe water regardless of their zip code.”

“We know disadvantaged communities disproportionately bear the impact of contaminants in water such as PFAS and lead,” said Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat from N.J. “This latest infusion of federal funds – part of the historic investment in our water infrastructure under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – will allow New Jersey to expand access to clean water for everyone.”

“New Jersey has some of the highest levels of PFAS contamination in the country,” said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-6th District. “While the state is working to address this public health threat by adopting protective state drinking water standards and pursuing natural resource damage cases, I’ve led efforts in Congress to address these toxic chemicals and ensure that everyone can trust the water coming out of the tap.”

“In New Jersey, we are paving the way for the nation in addressing PFAS in our water supplies and our environment,” said New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn LaTourette.

New Jersey receives first-ever EPA loan to modernize water infrastructure

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Jan. 5 that the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank will receive a $500 million loan to modernize the state’s wastewater and drinking water systems.

The loan is the first-ever issued through the State Infrastructure Financing Authority Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (SWIFIA) program, providing financing to state revolving fund programs.

In a press release, EPA Assistant Administration for Water Radhika Fox said that the agency is thrilled to make this first loan to the Garden State, touting the state’s efforts in making investments to improve its water infrastructure.

“With EPA’s low-interest WIFIA loan, New Jersey will invest in over 90 communities across the Garden State and create 16,000 jobs while saving approximately $62.5 million,” said Fox.

The SWIFIA loans, administered through the EPA’s WIFIA program, allow state infrastructure finance authorities to offer additional low-cost financing to communities and accelerate important water infrastructure projects.

Water work around NJ

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The loan, along with additional funding from the state Department of Environmental Protection, will support the 90 projects around New Jersey, including in 36 small communities and 39 disadvantaged communities. Officials say the projects will help these communities maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, manage flooding, and improve climate change resiliency.

“The EPA’s SWIFIA loans will further solidify New Jersey’s status as a national model for water infrastructure, which serves as the foundation for healthy communities,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “In addition to helping our state secure safe, healthy, and efficient wastewater and drinking water systems for all New Jerseyans, the EPA’s support will also help generate good-paying jobs in our expanding water workforce.”

U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez, both Democrats, touted the potential impact of the federal dollars.

“Rebuilding New Jersey’s aging water and wastewater infrastructure and expanding access to clean, safe water while creating good paying jobs is exactly the type of smart investment our communities and environment need,” said Menendez.

“This historic infusion of federal funds will help New Jersey implement vital water infrastructure projects,” said Booker. “I am excited the EPA is issuing its first SWIFIA loan to New Jersey. This funding will create hundreds of jobs and advance water infrastructure projects to address contaminants in drinking water, install water filtration systems, and replace lead pipes across our state.”

New Jersey awarded nearly $169M for water infrastructure

The Garden State was awarded close to $170 million for water infrastructure improvements.

Gov. Phil Murphy’s office says the funding, announced Dec. 1 and which comes via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, can be used to help communities access safe and reliable drinking water, increase resilience, collect and treat wastewater to protect public health, clean up pollution and safeguard vital waterways.

The resources are being distributed through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), with over $73 million coming from the Clean Water SRF and more than $95 million through the Drinking Water SRF.

The Clean Water SRF primarily goes toward wastewater infrastructure improvement projects and will supplement nearly $48 million in regular funding to the state’s program in Fiscal Year 2022.

EPA announces $221M loan for NJ water infrastructure

At an event late last week with federal, state and local officials, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $221 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the New Jersey Infrastructure I-Bank.

The New Jersey State Revolving Fund Program (SRF) — a partnership between the state Department of Environmental Protection and the I-Bank — will use the loan to invest in 28 infrastructure projects to modernize water systems for nearly 6 million New Jersey residents.

“EPA is proud to partner with New Jersey to innovatively invest WIFIA funding and benefit many communities by removing dangerous lead service lines, strengthening drinking water systems, safely returning wastewater to the environment, and uplifting low-income communities and communities of color,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “EPA is working to ensure that all Americans have clean and safe water – through the WIFIA program and by investing $50 billion in water through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

This funding, combined with New Jersey SRF monies, will support $588 million in infrastructure for Garden State communities that will advance public health, save money and create local jobs. The pool of projects includes 26 drinking water projects that address local challenges, like removing contaminants preventing leaks, improving system resiliency, and replacing lead service lines. Two wastewater projects will also receive funding.

Newark water upgrades — In April, Mayor Ras Baraka was flanked by several officials, hoisting wrenches, to break ground on a new $23 million project to upgrade the Pequannock Water Treatment Plant. – CITY OF NEWARK

Recent water-improvement projects around the state

“Thanks to the EPA’s support, these critical investments will together benefit more than half of the state’s population, including New Jerseyans in communities most at risk of flooding, contaminated drinking water, and inadequate wastewater infrastructure,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “In New Jersey, we recognize that the state of our economy is inextricably linked to the health of our residents and our environment. By generating jobs and maintaining water affordability, these projects will not only advance public health and sustainability but stimulate economic growth as well.”

“Four years ago, I worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to expand access to WIFIA loans in order to address the backlog of long-overdue water infrastructure projects in America,” said U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. “I am encouraged to see New Jersey partner with the EPA and use these loans to fund critical initiatives that will upgrade water systems, ensure the safety of drinking water, and protect the health and safety of communities across our state.”

“Modernizing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure is a matter of public health, environmental safety, and racial and economic justice,” said U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. “New Jersey is home to some of the oldest towns and cities in America, and many are grappling with aging water infrastructure, including lead pipes and outdated wastewater and stormwater systems. This federal and state partnership will put people to work replacing lead water lines, upgrading sewer systems, and reducing wastewater pollution, with a renewed emphasis on underserved communities that too often bear the brunt of our environmental crises.”

“We are very grateful to the EPA for this loan. Modernizing our water infrastructure and doing so wisely is a high priority for the Murphy Administration,” said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette. “By bringing this infrastructure up to date, we will be ensuring the highest standards of protection for the public health and the environment, such as the important improvements at this Moorestown water treatment plant, and we will be creating jobs and economic growth. This WIFIA loan will result in some 1,800 jobs and save the state approximately $51 million in NJ State Revolving Funds, allowing the I-Bank to finance more projects without costing borrowers or state one dime.”

Learn more about the WIFIA program by visiting www.epa.gov/wifia.

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