Formula Grant 02D68424

DESCRIPTION:THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,054,000.00 TO PROVIDE FUNDING BY THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA) (PL 117-58), FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY'S DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND PROGRAM (DWSRF). THESE FUNDS ARE FOR DWSRF-ELIGIBLE PROJECTS THAT ADDRESS EMERGING CONTAMINANTS IN DRINKING WATER WITH A FOCUS ON PROJECTS ADDRESSING PERFLUOROALKYL AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS). THE AWARD FURTHERS THE PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTION OBJECTIVES OF THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT (SDWA).ACTIVITIES:THE RECIPIENT OF THESE FUNDS WILL PROVIDE LOW INTEREST RATE FINANCING TO ELIGIBLE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS FOR THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PLANNING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION OF ELIGIBLE DRINKING WATER IMPROVEMENT 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.SUBRECIPIENT:SUBAWARDS IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT INCLUDE LOW INTEREST LOANS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE FINANCING, PLANNING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION OF ELIGIBLE EMERGING CONTAMINANT-FOCUSED, PUBLIC HEALTH-RELATED PROJECTS. DELIVERABLES WILL ALSO BE USED TO INCREASE THE TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS. THE EXPECTED OUTCOME IS PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTION. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE CITIZENS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.