EPA grants funds for water infrastructure projects, approves drinking water regulations in US states

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allowed $44m in funds for the water projects in the states of Arizona and Nevada as well as approved revised drinking water regulations for Oklahoma.

The funds will be used to improve local drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and reduction of water pollution in the two US states.

Arizona has received $25m in funding which has been directed towards Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) and be implemented under the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and Drinking Water SRF.

The funds will mainly be used for small and disadvantaged communities and projects that promote sustainability.

Nevada has received more than $19m in funds which will be put to use under its Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and Drinking Water SRF programmes.

In Nevada, Clean Water SRF money will go to projects 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.

It will also support projects such as groundwater and surface water treatment systems, water storage, transmission and distribution systems, and water metering.

EPA Pacific Southwest regional administrator Jared Blumenfeld said: "This substantial investment at the federal level helps communities develop the infrastructure needed for clean, safe drinking water and proper wastewater treatment.

"EPA is committed to protecting the water resources so important to public health and local economies."

Oklahoma, on the other hand, has secured the EPA approval for the revised rule for regulating total coliform in drinking water.

US EPA Region 6 Regional Administrator Ron Curry said: "Safe drinking water is one of our most valuable public health assets.

"Oklahoma has shown its drinking water program will continue to protect people’s health under the revised rule."

The federal agency had revised the total coliform rule in 2013 to strengthen protection for public health.

Total coliforms represent a group of bacteria that, though largely not harmful to humans, can indicate the presence of harmful bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens in potable water.