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

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 awarded the Minnesota Department of Health $14.75 million in formula grant funding under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Small and Underserved Communities Emerging Contaminants Grant Program (CFDA 66.442) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. This Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding supports Minnesota's implementation of projects and activities to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in drinking water systems serving small and disadvantaged communities.

Minnesota will distribute all funding to eligible communities through subawards that support water system infrastructure improvements and emerging contaminant remediation. Eligible activities include research and testing, planning and design, treatment system installation, source water protection, storage infrastructure, water system restructuring, household drinking water access services, technical assistance, outreach and education, and workforce training for public water systems. The program aims to ensure all Minnesotans receive safe and adequate drinking water while achieving compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, with anticipated deliverables encompassing infrastructure construction projects and household water quality testing programs directed toward communities most in need of assistance.

This agreement provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) to the state of minnesota to implement resources and priorities to help address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and emerging contaminant challenges and target resources to communities most in need of assistance to ensure that no community is left behind with unsafe, inadequate water. Minnesota will implement projects such as water system upgrades 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:all funding will go to subawards to eligible communities. The subawards will fund water infrastructure improvements to address emerging contaminant challenges.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 subawards to public water systems that serve small and disadvantaged communities to fund construction of infrastructure to address emerging contaminants. The expected outcomes include ensuring all minnesotan's are provided with safe and reliable drinking water by reducing/removing contaminants of emerging concern from the water supply. Direct beneficiaries of this program include all state residents and occupants, both permanent and temporary.