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

This $8,499,000 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3 under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CFDA 66.458) program will provide low-interest financing to numerous subrecipients in Pennsylvania for costs eligible under Section 603(c) of the Clean Water Act. The primary purpose of this funding is to address emerging contaminants, which refer to substances and microorganisms, including manufactured or naturally occurring materials, that may pose newly identified or re-emerging risks to human health, aquatic life, or the environment. Eligible project types include financing the planning, design, and construction of water quality improvement and protection initiatives, with an emphasis on addressing emerging contaminants such as compounds from personal care products, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, pesticides, and microplastics. The award recipient, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (Pennvest), will administer the CWSRF program to provide this low-interest financing to subrecipients across the state. The grant period runs from July 1, 2024, through September 30, 2026.

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:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.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.