Federal Grant Award Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 awarded $25.225 million to the Louisiana Division of Administration under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Small and Underserved Communities Emerging Contaminants Grant Program (CFDA 66.442) on October 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2028. This formula grant funds Louisiana's implementation of a comprehensive program to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in drinking water systems serving small and disadvantaged communities. The award supports direct assistance to public water systems through subawards to municipalities for research and testing, planning and design, treatment system installation, source water protection activities, water system restructuring, household drinking water access provision, technical assistance, operator training, and workforce development.

The deliverables and outcomes include identifying disadvantaged public water systems, conducting water quality testing for households, implementing projects necessary for Safe Drinking Water Act compliance, and delivering targeted support to impacted communities. Louisiana will serve as the pass-through entity, distributing subaward grants to eligible municipalities and water systems to mitigate emerging contaminants and ensure safe drinking water access across the state's underserved populations. The program emphasizes technical assistance and training support to enhance public water systems' capacity to address emerging contaminant challenges.