EPA announces $63 million in federal funding for Utah’s drinking water

SALT LAKE CITY — The U.S Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday $63 million in federal funding to assist with water infrastructure improvements around the state, which includes clean drinking water.

More than $50 billion has been allocated to the EPA by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding helps with providing clean, safe and reliable drinking water to communities across the country.

“This Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding will support unprecedented investments in wastewater treatment and drinking water infrastructure across Utah’s communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker in a news release. “These projects will create jobs and modernize and extend the water systems that keep our rivers clean and our water safe to drink in every corner of the state.”

Federal funding to help with drinking water

The grant is the first important distribution of water infrastructure money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“We are grateful to the leadership of Senator Romney and all who worked to make this critical funding a reality,” said Utah Department of Environmental Quality Director Kim Shelley in a news release. “Much of Utah’s drinking and wastewater infrastructure has reached or exceeded its useful life. We are also faced with drought and rapid growth. And communities are struggling to keep up with the high cost of major infrastructure projects. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding will allow these communities to not only address short-term needs but also plan for a water resilient future.” 

Read more

• Bountiful officials say drinking water is safe, even though it’s green
• Radium found in a quarter of Bountiful City residents’ drinking water

Follow @MarkJonesKSL