Section 1452 of the safe drinking water act (SDWA) authorizes the state to utilize funds to further the health protection objectives of SDWA

The Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 awarded the Alabama Department of Environmental Management a $61.1 million Formula Grant under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program (CFDA 66.468). The grant capitalizes Alabama's DWSRF to fund projects emphasizing the identification and replacement of lead service lines and related activities to improve drinking water infrastructure. The state will provide subsidies to water systems for lead service line replacement and projects to increase technical, financial, and managerial capacity. One subaward of $100,000 was made to the City of Selma Waterworks and Sewer Board to replace aging water mains and 100 lead service lines with new ductile iron and copper pipes, respectively, increasing water efficiency and compliance. The grant will benefit public health statewide by reducing lead exposure and ensuring a safer drinking water supply through infrastructure improvements.

This action approves an award in the amount of $61,114,000 to the alabama department of environmental management to capitalize the recipient's drinking water state revolving fund (DWSRF) with an emphasis on lead service line replacement and associated activities directly connected to the identification, planning, design, and replacement of lead service lines. As part of this agreement, the state ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, which are designed to protect public health.activities:the state has submitted an intended use plan (IUP) as part of the application package for this capitalization grant. This IUP contains a list of the capital projects that address lead service line replacement and associated activities directly connected to the identification, planning, design, and replacement of lead service lines, which may receive funding from this grant. The recipient may also use some of the funding for specific 'set-asides' to provide technical assistance to small systems, program administration, state program management and other allowable uses. Subrecipient:subawards will be made for activities such as administering loans for projects, providing technical assistance to small systems, program administration, and state program management. Outcomes:the benefits of this grant will be to capitalize the recipient's DWSRF with primary purpose to reduce lead in drinking water by funding projects emphasizing the identification and removal of lead service lines. The funds may also be used to increase technical, financial and managerial capacity of public water systems, and provide assurance of a cleaner and safer potable water supply by funding improvements to multiple water infrastructure projects. These public health benefits will be statewide.