EPA approves grants for water improvement projects in Hawaii

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved grants of over $20m to the Hawaii Department of Health to reduce water pollution and improve the state’s water quality.

The agency has approved a grant of over $10.9m for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $9.1m for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to control water pollution and to upgrade drinking water infrastructures across the state.

EPA Pacific south-west regional administrator Jared Blumenfeld said the agency is consistently investing in the state’s water infrastructure.

"Our goal, along with the Department of Health, is to ensure that Hawaii has safe, reliable drinking water and proper wastewater treatment," Blumenfeld said.

Hawaii Department of Health further provides low-cost loans to its counties to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructures and improve the old systems.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund programme has so far received $282m worth of financial assistance from the EPA since 1990 to carry out a wide range of projects; including nonpoint source pollution control, watershed protection or restoration, improving water and energy efficiency, and traditional municipal wastewater treatment projects.

The Hawaii Drinking Water State Revolving Fund received 45 loans from the Hawaii Department of Health totaling $124 million to execute projects such as capacity development, sanitary surveys, drinking water operator training and technical assistance.

EPA is funding the state revolving funds to upgrade and improve the drinking water and wastewater infrastructures in order to achieve its goal of making the nation’s waters fishable and swimmable.

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Image: Hawaii Department of Health will use EPA sanctioned funds to improve state’s water quality. Photo: travisthurston.