Investment In Infrastructure

Poorly managed water systems (lead pipes, water main breaks, pfas contamination), industrial pollution, and aging infrastructure are highlighted by recent headlines that still underscore how tap water problems across the U.S. have many causes.  The uneven and often pathetic state of drinking water quality is an environmental issue that has been tracked for years but to no avail.  Of note is that the accelerating climate crisis is pushing water systems to the brink in many areas of the country.

Investment In Infrastructure
By Pierre Mouchette | Bits-n-Pieces

President Joe Biden, on November 15, 2021, signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which dedicated $55 billion to represent the most significant investment in drinking water, wastewater, water reuse, conveyance, and water storage infrastructure in American history, including dedicated funding to replace lead service lines and to address the dangerous chemical PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl).
 
On May 12, 2023 (latest report date), just eighteen months after the President signed the 'once-in-a-generation investment' in our nation's infrastructure, a Fact Sheet was released stating accomplishments to date.
Briefly, under the heading of Clean Water, the following was stated:

• An investment of over $50 billion in water infrastructure has been made.  The funding places us on a path to replace 100% of lead service lines in America and close the wastewater gap for 2 million people who lack basic sanitation.  
• The funds, administered by the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water, are already helping finance drinking and wastewater projects across the country through grants and forgivable loans.  
• The EPA is providing all 50 states, territories, the District of Columbia, and Tribal water systems with funding for drinking water and wastewater improvements.  
• The EPA has provided over $5.1 billion of BIL funding to states, Tribes, and territories through the long-standing and successful State Revolving Funds.  
• The EPA has also released allocations for nearly $8 billion in fiscal year 2023 funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law under the State Revolving Funds programs and almost $2 billion in fiscal year 2022 and 2023 funding for the new emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities’ program. 

 
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for monitoring the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).  The CWSRF provides low-interest loans for water quality protection projects for wastewater treatment, nonpoint source pollution control, and watershed and estuary management.  The EPA also provides $50 billion to its water programs under the BIL.  Of that amount, $5 billion is appropriated to the Emerging Contaminants-Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) grant program.
 
With all of the babble stated, have you:

• Notice any replacement of the water mains in your community?
• Notice a difference in the water quality from your tap? 
• Observed that the rivers, streams, and other waterways are cleaner.