DESCRIPTION:THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,838,000.00 TO PROVIDE FUNDING UNDER THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA) TO THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY. 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. THIS PROJECT IS FUNDED UNDER THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA).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 IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT INCLUDE LOW INTEREST LOWS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.OUTCOMES:THE 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.