This agreement provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) to the state of delaware to implement resources and priorities to help address per- and polyfluoroalkyl…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3 awarded $9.892 million to the Executive Office of the Governor of Delaware Division of Public Health on July 1, 2025, under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Small and Underserved Communities Emerging Contaminants Grant Program (CFDA 66.442). The award funds a comprehensive initiative to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in Delaware's small and disadvantaged communities through September 30, 2030. Products and services delivered include research and testing of drinking water quality; planning and design of treatment systems; installation and operation of emerging contaminant treatment facilities; source water protection activities; water system restructuring; provision of household access to drinking water services; technical assistance to public water systems; public outreach and education campaigns; and workforce development and training support for water system personnel.

The grant distributes $9.496 million in subawards to eight recipient communities: Angola Beach, Town of Blades, Colonial Estates Manufactured Home Community, Town of Laurel, Laurel Village MHC, Lewes Board of Public Works, City of Seaford, and City of Wilmington. Specific subrecipient activities include continuation of emerging contaminant sampling and monitoring programs for drinking water supplies, exemplified by the Town of Blades' project to monitor and verify proper treatment of PFAS and other contaminants in its municipal water system.

This agreement provides funding under the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) to the state of delaware to implement resources and priorities to help address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and emerging contaminant challenges and target resources to communities most in need of assistance to ensure that no community is left behind with unsafe, inadequate water. Activities:projects and activities to address emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities, including but not limited to research and testing; planning and design to address emerging contaminates; treatment of emerging contaminants; source water activities related to emerging contaminants; storage; water system restructuring; providing households access to drinking water services; technical assistance; outreach and education; and workforce or training support to public water systems in addressing emerging contaminants. Subrecipient:the activities to be implemented through subawards include projects and activities to address emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities, including but not limited to research and testing; planning and design to address emerging contaminates; treatment of emerging contaminants; source water activities related to emerging contaminants; storage; water system restructuring; providing households access to drinking water services; technical assistance; outreach and education; and workforce or training support to public water systems in addressing emerging contaminants. A total of $9,496,320 will be distributed to the following subrecipients to address pfoa/pfos and other emerging contaminants; angola beach, town of blades, colonial estates manufactured home community, town of laurel, laurel village MHC, lewes board of public works, city of seaford, and the city of wilmington.outcomes:this agreement is to an eligible state or territory to implement a program to provide assistance to address emerging contaminants in drinking water to small or disadvantaged communities. Funds are to carry out projects and activities needed for public water systems to comply with the safe drinking water act, programs to provide household water quality testing, activities for a state to respond to a drinking water contaminants, and activities that benefit the impacted communities. The anticipated deliverables include eight projects at public water systems in small and disadvantaged communities throughout delaware for initial testing, feasibility studies, and installation of treatment systems. Expected outputs include the completion of an EC-SDC funding assistance eligibility evaluation of all small or disadvantaged communities in the state of delaware, the development of new emerging contaminant education and outreach materials, and the training of state staff in emerging contaminants. The expected outcomes include a reduction in the number of public water systems serving small or disadvantaged communities that have elevated levels of PFAS that threaten public health. In addition, this grant will ensure the public has a better understanding of emerging contaminants in drinking water and how to prevent exposure when applicable. The intended beneficiaries include the public water systems and all state residents and occupants, both permanent and temporary.