This agreement provides funding to the district of columbia's department of energy and environment (DC doee) from the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58), to construct eligible…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3 awarded $1.1 million to the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) on October 1, 2025, under the Construction Grants for Wastewater Treatment Works program (CFDA 66.418). Funding under this formula grant supports the fourth phase of an applied research study examining biochar's effectiveness as a bioretention media for capturing emerging contaminants, specifically 6PPD (a tire wear particle), in District Department of Transportation (DDOT) right-of-way bioretention facilities. Project costs encompass monitoring equipment, sample collection and analysis, and associated bioretention facility construction.

The project addresses emerging contaminants—including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial chemicals, pesticides, and microplastics—that pose risks to human health, aquatic life, and environmental quality. The anticipated deliverables include completion of the applied study and construction of water quality improvement and protection projects. Expected outcomes will provide technical data on biochar's capability to mitigate 6PPD contamination in urban stormwater management systems. The intended beneficiaries include District residents and downstream communities. The award extends through September 30, 2030, with no sub-awards identified in the assistance agreement.

This agreement provides funding to the district of columbia's department of energy and environment (DC doee) from the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58), to construct eligible projects under the clean water act (CWA). The primary purpose of these funds is to address emerging contaminants. 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 projects to be funded include: the fourth phase of a ddot analysis of the effectiveness of right-of-way bioretention media, such as biochar, to capture emerging contaminants, namely 6PPD. Costs will include monitoring equipment, collection, analysis, and associated bioretention facilities. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include the construction of eligible water quality improvement and protection projects. The expected outcomes include completion of an applied study determining biochar's effectiveness to capture 6PPD in right-of-way bioretention facilities. The intended beneficiaries include the residents of the district and those downstream of the district.