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

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 5, awarded a formula grant of $44.6 million to the State of Ohio Office of Budget and Management (Ohio EPA) under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Small and Underserved Communities Emerging Contaminants Grant Program (CFDA 66.442), effective January 1, 2026, through January 1, 2030. This funding supports Ohio's implementation of infrastructure projects addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in drinking water systems serving small and disadvantaged communities.

Ohio EPA will deliver comprehensive products and services through direct activities and subawards to public water systems (PWS), including planning and design services for treatment facilities, construction of treatment infrastructure, source water protection initiatives, wellfield development, water system restructuring and consolidation projects, household water connections for underserved communities, and technical assistance to PWS operators. Additionally, the grant funds workforce training and development support, research and testing activities related to emerging contaminants, outreach and education programs, and household access initiatives to ensure equitable distribution of safe drinking water services. Subawards to eligible PWS will prioritize infrastructure development activities that address treatment upgrades, new water source development, regionalization, and direct household connections to public water service lines in communities most in need of assistance.

This agreement provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) to the state of ohio 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. Ohio will fund projects such as infrastructure projects addressing emerging contaminants will be used for planning, design and/or construction activities related to treatment, source water protection, wellfield development, PWS connections (e.g., new source, regionalization, consolidation, etc.), water storage and household connections for underserved communities 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:subawards to PWS for infrastructure projects addressing emerging contaminants will be used for planning, design and/or construction activities related to treatment, source water protection, wellfield development, PWS connections (e.g., new source, regionalization, consolidation, etc.), water storage and household connections for underserved communities (i.e., connection to public service line)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 an MOU with ohio department of health to conduct private well sampling and infrastructure projects to address emerging contaminants in small, disadvantaged communities. The expected outcomes include reduction in the number of public water systems serving small or disadvantaged communities with real or potential public health threats due to emerging contaminants, reduction in the number of public water systems serving small or disadvantaged communities that are out of compliance with health-based drinking water standards, and reduction in the population that is served by a water system or private wells that are threatened by emerging contaminants. The intended beneficiaries include residents of the state of ohio. Direct beneficiaries of this program include all state residents and occupants, both permanent and temporary.