From Water World…

By Patrick Crow, Washington Correspondent
The Environmental Protection Agency’s latest Clean Watersheds Needs survey has projected a shortfall of $298.1 billion over the next 20 years for clean water infrastructure, up 17% from the previous survey four years ago.

EPA said the figure represents the capital needed for publicly owned wastewater collection systems and treatment facilities, combined sewer overflow connections, and stormwater management as of Jan. 1, 2008.

Needs for stormwater management alone came in at $42.3 billion, including $7.6 billion for conveyance infrastructure, $7.4 billion for treatment systems and $17.4 billion for green infrastructure. They represented an increase of $16.9 billion (67%).

For full article, go here>>

admin Funding clean water, combined sewer overflows, CSOs, green infrastructure, stormwater management, US EPA, wastewater, water infrastructure

Harrisburg - Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced the investment of $129 million in 41 drinking water and wastewater projects serving communities in 33 counties.

We remain committed to cleaning Pennsylvania’s waterways, protecting the public’s health and building a solid foundation for our economic future. The grants and loans provided through PENNVEST help local communities make improvements necessary to protect residents, ensure environmental health and stimulate economic prosperity that will benefit residents now and in the future.

Governor Rendell

Complete details about the PENNVEST funding and the projects it supports can be found here>>

admin Funding Add new tag, Chesapeake Bay, drinking water, economic development, environmental health, public health, wastewater, water quality, watershed protection

The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for Growing Greener Watershed Restoration Projects designed to reduce pollution in watersheds impaired by nonpoint source pollution.  Applications are due September 17.

With the Growing Greener II bond funding now spent, the competition for funding can be expected to be intense.  $6 million will be available for Growing Greener Watershed Projects, $3 million in federal 319 watershed funding and $500,000 for flood control projects.  A special priority area is the Chesapeake Bay Watershed where reduction in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution is being targeted.

Examples of eligible projects could include reducing nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired; integrating stormwater management and flood protection into watershed management; encouraging the beneficial use of abandoned mine pool water; and water conservation strategies, and projects that will help reduce Total Maximum Daily Load pollutants.

Through the same application process, applicants can also apply for funding through the Department’s Flood Protection Grant Program and Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grant.  Flood protection grants are intended for communities that operate and maintain State and Federal flood protection projects.  Section 319 grants focus on funding projects similar to Growing Greener but with special emphasis within targeted watersheds.

PA Environment Digest has posted a copy of the application online.

DEP indicated that more information on the 2010 application process would be posted on its Growing Greener webpage.

admin Announcements, Funding Add new tag, Chesapeake Bay, clean water, flood control, Nonpoint source pollution, stormwater runoff, TMDL, watershed protection

From University of Delaware - Water Resources Agency Institute for Public Administration …

Gerald J. Kauffman, Director

Re: Clean Water Funding Legislation, H.R. 1262

We know that the political focus shifts as needs arise, as it should, from one topic to another. When bridges, roads, water delivery systems and waste collection systems fail in metropolitan areas, the focus shifts to infrastructure. When there is an oil spill, the focus shifts to stopping the leak, controlling the impact, cleaning what has leaked and restoring the environment to the conditions prior to the leak; or as close to those conditions as possible. This constant shift in focus means that federal and state funding sources should be assessed for their longevity and likeliness to be available into the future.

At the local level, the prudent approach to financing for small systems is to look at the long term effect of decisions. Even with the American Recovery and Reinvestment act money moving through the different levels of government, we need to keep in mind that this is (right now) a onetime Act of Congress and local leaders should have good reason not expect injections of money for infrastructure at this level in the future. The best case scenario then, is for leaders to employ full cost pricing which includes setting money aside for renewal or replacement of assets in the system enabling the system to be financially stable without any external assistance.

Our experience at the Environmental Finance Center shows that this is not usually the case. So, we must look at what is available in relative perpetuity as a funding source. One of the most stable funding sources is the annual capitalization of the States’ Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The federal funding appropriated to the individual States is a determining factor of whether your project for your system will be funded in a given year. There are, of course, other State-by- State criteria.

Currently, H.R. 1262, the “Water Quality Investment Act of 2009″, has passed the House of Representatives and is currently in the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. One of the important things to remember is that this bill determines the allotment formula for the State Revolving Funds through FY 2014. This is the type of legislation that should be tracked by municipal and district leaders so they can understand how this long-term funding resource will be administered.

I encourage everyone responsible to their community for providing water, wastewater and stormwater services to look at the text of H.R. 1262 and spend the necessary time to understand what its implications are to your upcoming infrastructure projects.

You can find the State-by-State Allocation for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund here>>

admin Funding, National ARRA, clean water, Clean Water Act, drinking water, economic stimulus, state revolving fund, stormwater, wastewater, Water Quality Investment Act of 2009

WASHINGTON - As part of its developing Urban Waters Initiative, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making available up to $600,000 in grants for an eligible entity to establish and manage a national competitive urban watershed small grants program, including urban watershed technical services.  The successful applicant would support capacity building projects in urban communities that will lead to environmental, public health, and related economic benefits.

As part of Administrator Jackson’s priorities, EPA is developing an urban waters initiative to help communities - especially disadvantaged communities - access, restore and benefit from their waters and the surrounding land.  Many urban waters have a wide range of environmental challenges including polluted runoff, sewer overflows, and other contamination.  The goal is to help urban communities reconnect with and revitalize the waters that are an important part of their health and prosperity.  EPA has requested $5.5 million in grant funds in the FY 2011 budget request under the Community Water Priorities program to focus resources on water quality protection efforts in urban waters.

The urban watershed grant will promote community stewardship by increasing the capacity of local watershed and community groups.  Better understanding of their urban watersheds will lead to better decision-making, improved restoration and protection efforts.

Questions about the grant application must be received by May 6, 2010 and proposals must be received by EPA by May 19, 2010.  The selection of the successful applicant will be announced this summer. Eligible applicants are states, local governments, public and private nonprofit institutions/organizations, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, U.S. territories or possessions, and interstate agencies.

More information on the Targeted Watershed Grants Program can be found here.

admin Funding Add new tag, community stewardship, CSOs, EPA, Nonpoint source pollution, polluted runoff, sewer overflows, stormwater funding, stream restoration, Urban Waters Initiative, urban watersheds, water quality, watershed protection