EPA makes nearly $125M investment to spur wastewater infrastructure improvements across New Jersey
NEW JERSEY – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded New Jersey nearly $125 million to support cleaner water across the state, of which over $93 million is funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
New Jersey’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund provides interest-free or low-interest rate financing for wastewater and sewer infrastructure projects to municipalities, utilities, and regional authorities.
A variety of projects are eligible for financing, including construction or restoration of sewers and wastewater treatment facilities and piping, stormwater management projects and habitat restoration and protection projects.
“EPA’s investment in New Jersey’s water infrastructure means less pollution and cleaner water in our own local waterways,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “This critical funding, augmented by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, gives communities the opportunity to continue to modernize infrastructure and reduce water pollution.”
“EPA funding support has been critical to the state’s Water Infrastructure Investment Plan (WIIP), through which the New Jersey Water Bank has provided funding to more than 130 projects totaling $485 million to improve wastewater infrastructure,” said New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. “In addition, because of EPA’s steadfast commitment to water infrastructure, New Jersey is able to invest in a host of projects to improve the safety of drinking water supplies and reduce flooding impacts from stormwater. My DEP colleagues and I thank Administrator Garcia and the Biden Administration for their support in making our state healthier, safer, and more resilient.”
Under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program, EPA provides annual grants to all 50 states plus Puerto Rico to capitalize state CWSRF loan programs for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects, including municipal wastewater facilities, nonpoint source pollution control, decentralized wastewater treatment systems, stormwater runoff mitigation, green infrastructure, estuary protection, and water reuse.
“As the financing partner in the State’s CWSRF program, the I-Bank is pleased to support the NJDEP through the issuance of low-cost loans that facilitate the construction of critical environmental infrastructure for all communities throughout the State, while meeting the Department’s goal of prioritizing financial assistance to overburdened communities,” said New Jersey Infrastructure Bank Executive Director, David Zimmer.
The 51 CWSRF programs function like environmental infrastructure banks by providing low or no interest loans for water infrastructure projects. As money is paid back into the state’s revolving loan fund, the state makes new loans to other recipients for high priority, water quality activities. CWSRF’s may offer a variety of assistance including loans, purchase of debt or refinance and provision of loan guarantees.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law presents the largest-ever funding opportunity for investing in water infrastructure. Find out more about Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs and other programs that help communities manage their water resources on EPA’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law page.
