Alaska received a $20 million plus boost on Oct. 30, through an award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help finance improvements to essential water projects.
“While some parts of Alaska have some of the best drinking water and water quality in the country, many communities still suffer from chronic water infrastructure problems that need to be upgraded and repaired,” said Chris Hladick, regional administrator for EPA Region 10. “The increase in funds should help more communities meet critical needs.”
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program administrated by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, was awarded $9,603,000 – a 21 percent increase over last year’s funding. The program provides low-interest loans for water quality projects to reduce water pollution, improve municipal drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, control pollution from rain water runoff, and protect sensitive water bodies and estuaries.
Since 1987, Alaska has received over $266 million in annual Clean water State Revolving Fund capitalization grants. Combined with state match and repayments, ADEC has provided over $527 million in low-interest CWSRF loans for water quality and wastewater projects, including a new outfall line in Valdez and wastewater treatment facility improvements in Anchorage.
