This action approves an award in the amount of $13,389,000.00 to the georgia environmental finance authority

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $13,389,000 Formula Grant under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (CFDA 66.468) program to the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA). This 5-year grant, effective July 1, 2023, will capitalize GEFA's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) to provide low-interest loans and other financial assistance for drinking water infrastructure projects across Georgia. Eligible activities include improving water treatment, distribution, source supply, and storage to protect public health. The grant will also support technical assistance to small water systems, program administration, and state program management. As a sub-awardee, GEFA will administer loans, deliver technical support, and oversee program operations for this DWSRF capitalization initiative.

Section 1452 of the safe drinking water act (SDWA) authorizes the state to utilize funds to further the health protection objectives of safe drinking water act. This agreement will provide funds 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 drinking water state revolving fund will be used for loans and other authorized assistance to public water systems for eligible projects, including improving drinking water treatment, water distribution, improving source of water supply, replacing or constructing finished water storage tanks, and other infrastructure projects needed to protect public health. The recipient may also use some of the funding for specific 'set-asides' to provide technical assistance to small systems, program administration, state program management and other allowable uses.subrecipient:subawards will be made for activities such as administering loans for projects, providing technical assistance to small systems, program administration, and state program management.outcomes:the benefits of this grant will be to capitalize the recipient's DWSRF. The fund can then be used to increase technical, financial and managerial capacity of public water systems, and provide assurance of a cleaner and safer potable water supply by funding improvements to multiple water infrastructure projects. These public health benefits will be statewide.