This action approves funding in the amount of $2,707,000 to kentucky infrastructure authority for their clean water state revolving fund program with a primary purpose to address emerging contaminants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 awarded $2.707 million to the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program (CFDA 66.458) on July 1, 2025, with a performance period extending through September 30, 2032. The primary purpose of this formula grant is to address emerging contaminants—including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial chemicals, pesticides, and microplastics—in Kentucky's water systems.

The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority will provide low-interest financing to multiple subrecipients for water quality improvement and protection projects eligible under Section 603(c) of the Clean Water Act. Deliverables include financing for planning, design, and construction of water infrastructure projects with emphasis on emerging contaminant remediation. Additionally, the recipient may allocate funds for set-asides supporting technical assistance to small water systems, operator certification activities, and source water protection initiatives. The anticipated outcomes include improved and protected water quality throughout the state, with benefits extending to Kentucky citizens and local water systems receiving the subrecipient loans and technical support services.

Emerging contaminants refer to substances and microorganisms, including manufactured or naturally occurring physical, chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials, which are known or anticipated in the environment, that may pose newly identified or RE-emerging risks to human health, aquatic life, or the environment. These substances, microorganisms or materials can include many different types of natural or manufactured chemicals and substances - such as those in some compounds of personal care products, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, pesticides, and microplastics.activities:the recipients of these funds will provide low interest financing to numerous subrecipients for costs eligible under section 603(c) of the clean water act, with the primary purpose of addressing emerging contaminants. Subrecipient:subawards include SRF loans for projects. The recipient may also use some of the funding for specific set-asides, including but not limited to providing technical assistance to small systems, for operator certification activities, and source water protection activities. Outcomes:anticipated deliverables include financing planning, design, and construction of eligible water quality improvement and protection projects. The expected outcomes are to improve and protect water quality with an emphasis on emerging contaminants. The intended beneficiaries include citizens throughout the state.