This agreement provides a capitalization grant, funded by the infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) (PL 117-58), for the recipient's drinking water state revolving fund program (dwsrf)

This $7,640,000 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program (CFDA 66.468) provides capitalization funding to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC) to support drinking water infrastructure improvements focused on addressing emerging contaminants, particularly per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The funding will enable VT DEC to offer low-interest financing to eligible public water systems for planning, designing, and constructing drinking water projects that enhance water quality and public health protection. Key activities include providing technical assistance to small water systems, operator certification support, and source water protection initiatives. The anticipated deliverables include the planning, design, and construction of eligible projects addressing emerging contaminants, as well as activities to increase the technical, managerial, and financial capacity of public water systems across the state. The award period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2031.

These funds are for dwsrf-eligible projects that address emerging contaminants in drinking water with a focus on projects addressing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The award furthers the public health protection objectives of the safe drinking water act (sdwa).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:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include financing, planning, design, and construction of eligible emerging contaminant-focused, 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.