This agreement funds a capitalization grant for the recipient's clean water state revolving fund program with a primary purpose to address emerging contaminants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 awarded $1.1 million in capitalization grant funding to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program (CFDA 66.458) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2032. The primary product delivered through this award is low-interest financing to subrecipients for water quality improvement and protection projects, with a specific focus on addressing emerging contaminants including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial chemicals, pesticides, and microplastics. The SRF mechanism enables the state to provide loans for eligible planning, design, and construction activities under Section 603(c) of the Clean Water Act, creating a self-sustaining financing structure where loan repayments generate continued funding availability for future projects.

The anticipated deliverables include financing of water quality improvement infrastructure projects statewide, with expected outcomes centered on improved water protection against emerging contaminant risks. A notable sub-award example includes $743,750 in EPA funding awarded to the Town of Franklin in January 2026 for Lake Carmi alum treatment, demonstrating the fund's application in specific water remediation initiatives. The program benefits Vermont citizens through enhanced water infrastructure financing mechanisms and targeted contaminant remediation projects throughout the state.

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:N/a - all SRF assistance will be provided as loans.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.