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 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3 awarded the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) a $4.59 million capitalization grant under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program (CFDA 66.458), effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2032. This formula grant funds VDEQ's state revolving loan program with a primary focus on addressing emerging contaminants—including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial chemicals, pesticides, and microplastics—that pose risks to human health and aquatic environments. VDEQ will deploy these federal funds as low-interest financing to multiple subrecipients for planning, design, and construction of water quality improvement and protection projects eligible under Section 603(c) of the Clean Water Act.

Under this award, VDEQ is providing financing support to subrecipients, including Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) for the Nansemond SWIFT Emerging Contaminants Improvements project. The anticipated deliverables include comprehensive planning, design, and construction financing for eligible water infrastructure initiatives with emphasis on emerging contaminant remediation. The expected outcomes are improved and protected water quality throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, benefiting citizens statewide through enhanced wastewater treatment capabilities and emerging contaminant mitigation efforts.

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:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.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 commonwealth.