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…

EPA Region 3 awarded the Executive Office of the Governor of Delaware Division of Public Health $9.868 million on July 1, 2026, under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Small and Underserved Communities Emerging Contaminants Grant Program (CFDA 66.442) to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in small and disadvantaged Delaware communities.

Funded activities include research and testing, planning and design, treatment systems, source water activities, storage, water system restructuring, household drinking water access, technical assistance, outreach and education, and workforce training for public water systems addressing emerging contaminants. The award supports compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and household water quality testing programs.

The Division of Public Health will distribute $9.473 million across five sub-recipients: Lewes Board of Public Works, Town of Georgetown, Town of Greenwood, City of Seaford, and City of Wilmington. These entities will carry out projects and activities to address PFOA, PFOS, and other emerging contaminants through the same scope of activities: research, planning, design, treatment, source water improvements, system restructuring, household access, technical assistance, education, and workforce support.

Performance occurs in Delaware through June 30, 2031.

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:activities 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. 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 $9,473,280 will be distributed to the following subrecipients to address pfoa/pfos and other emerging contaminants; lewes board of public works, town of georgetown, town of greenwood, city of seaford, and the city of wilmington.outcomes: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. Anticipated deliverables include five 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. 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. Direct beneficiaries of this program include all state residents and occupants, permanent and temporary.