On April 24, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan announced $6.5 billion in new funding for water infrastructure projects for FY 2021. The funding is provided through the EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program and state infrastructure financing authority WIFIA (SWIFIA) program. These programs accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant projects, including many county water infrastructure projects. The EPA is accepting letters of interests for SWIFIA until June 25 and WIFIA until July 23. For information on how to apply, click here.

Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-121), the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program that aims to accelerate investments in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant projects. This round of WIFIA funding will provide up to $5.5 billion to support $11 billion in water infrastructure projects and prioritizes five areas:

• Supporting economically stressed communities
• Protecting water infrastructure against the impacts of climate change
• Reducing exposure to lead and addressing emerging contaminants
• Updating aging infrastructure
• Implementing new or innovative approaches including cybersecurity and green infrastructure

FREE WEBINARS

• SWIFIA – May 11 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET - Register
• WIFIA – May 18 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET - Register
• WIFIA – June 1 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET - Register

As major owners, users and regulators of water resources and systems with the responsibility for funding 95 percent of all local public water infrastructure needs, counties and other local governments directly benefit from these federal programs. Counties invest $134 billion annually in the construction of infrastructure and the maintenance and operation of public works, including public water systems and water infrastructure projects.