This agreement provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) to the state of north dakota to implement resources and priorities to help address per- and polyfluoroalkyl…

This $18,914,000 Formula Grant awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Small and Underserved Communities Emerging Contaminants Grant Program (CFDA 66.442) will fund projects and activities to address emerging contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in drinking water for small or disadvantaged communities in the state of North Dakota.

The grant will enable the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality to implement projects to reduce manganese concentrations in drinking water, including the construction of a new raw water transfer station, improved water treatment capabilities, and increased drinking water controls for the Northeast Regional Water District and the East Central Regional Water District. These infrastructure improvements aim to improve drinking water quality and allow the regional water districts to connect additional residents with elevated manganese levels to safe drinking water supplies. The performance period for this award is from September 1, 2023 to September 30, 2026.

This agreement provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) to the state of north dakota to implement resources and priorities to help address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and emerging contaminant challenges; target resources to communities most in need of assistance to ensure that no community is left behind with unsafe, inadequate water; and advance the priorities of equity and environmental justice. The state of north dakota will implement projects such as improvements to the northeast regional water district and the east central regional water district with the use of this award funding. Activities:the activities include projects and activities to address emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities, including but not limited to research and testing; planning and design to address emerging contaminates; treatment of emerging contaminants; source water activities related to emerging contaminants; storage; water system restructuring; providing households access to drinking water services; technical assistance; outreach and education; and workforce or training support to public water systems in addressing emerging contaminants. Subrecipient:two regional water districts, northeast and east central, will reduce manganese concentration found in drinking water through the construction of a new raw water transfer center, improved drinking water treatment capabilities and increased controls. Outcomes:this agreement is to an eligible state or territory to implement a program to provide assistance to address emerging contaminants in drinking water to small or disadvantaged communities. Funds are to carry out projects and activities needed for public water systems to comply with the safe drinking water act, programs to provide household water quality testing, activities for a state to respond to a drinking water contaminants, and activities that benefit the impacted communities. The anticipated deliverables include construction of a new raw water transfer station, improved water treatment capability and additional drinking water controls for both regional water districts. The expected outcomes include improved drinking water quality to small and disadvantaged communities with manganese impacted drinking water and will allow the regional water districts to connect additional residents with elevated manganese concentrations in drinking water supply. The intended beneficiaries include residents served by the northeast and east central regional water districts. Direct beneficiaries of this program include all state residents and occupants, both permanent and temporary.