Section 1452 of the safe drinking water act (SDWA) authorizes the state to utilize funds to further the health protection objectives of SDWA

This $27,582,000 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program, authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will enable the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) to provide low-interest financing to public water systems for eligible drinking water infrastructure projects. The funding will support the planning, design, and construction of water treatment facility upgrades, distribution system improvements, and other activities to protect public health and enhance drinking water quality and safety across the state. DANR will also utilize a portion of the award for technical assistance to small water systems, operator certification, and source water protection initiatives. The grant period extends from August 2024 through July 2031.

This agreement will provide funds, authorized by the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58), to capitalize the recipient's drinking water state revolving fund (DWSRF) to provide low interest financing for costs associated with the planning, design and construction of eligible drinking water improvement projects and activities to protect human health. As part of this agreement, the recipient ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, which are designed to protect public health.activities:the recipient of these funds will provide low interest rate financing to eligible public water systems for the costs associated with the planning, design, and construction of eligible drinking water improvement projects. The recipient may also use some of the funding for specific set-asides, including but not limited to providing technical assistance to small systems, for operator certification activities, and source water protection activities. Subrecipient:the bulk of the SRF will be used for loans and other authorized assistance to public water systems for eligible projects, including improving drinking water treatment, fixing leaky or old pipes (water distribution), improving source of water supply, replacing or constructing finished water storage tanks, and other infrastructure projects needed to protect public health.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include financing, planning, design, and construction of eligible public health-related projects. Deliverables will also be used to increase the technical, managerial, and financial capacity of public water systems. The expected outcome is public health protection. The intended beneficiaries include citizens throughout the state.