Raleigh, N.C. – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced $337,207,486 in federal funding for North Carolina to bolster water infrastructure resilience and address environmental damage stemming from Hurricane Helene and other severe weather events. The funding comprises allocations from the Clean Water Safe Revolving Fund, a new Decentralized Clean Water Safe Revolving fund, and resources from the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
North Carolina will receive $253,681,000 for its Clean Water Safe Revolving Fund,enabling low-interest loans with potential principal forgiveness for eligible wastewater treatment projects encompassing planning,design,and construction.An additional $22,510,000 is designated for a new Decentralized Clean Water Safe Revolving Fund, focused on improving septic system resilience and facilitating connections to centralized wastewater systems.
Moreover, $61,006,486 has been granted through the RCRA to support solid and hazardous waste debris management, site contamination assessments, rehabilitation of damaged waste facilities, and proactive planning for future severe weather.
“Our communities need to withstand severe weather,” said EPA Regional Administrator Kevin mcomber. “As the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene approaches, we are reminded how critical access to safe, clean water is, especially in the most tough of times.”
The $337.2 million is part of a $276 million supplemental appropriation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the Hawai’i Wildfires, administered by the State Revolving Fund (SRF). These funds will support projects enhancing resilience to natural disasters, including improvements to drinking water and wastewater facilities, distribution and collection systems, and source water supplies.
