By The Star Staff
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday announced a $62,283,000 investment in essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades across Puerto Rico through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
Thanks to a $6 billion boost from the Biden-Harris administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA is increasing the investments available to rebuild the nation’s water infrastructure.
“Every community deserves access to safe, clean drinking water,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said. “Thanks to President Biden’s historic infrastructure investments in America, we have an unprecedented opportunity to revitalize America’s drinking water systems, support the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of removing 100% of lead pipes across our country, and protect communities from PFAS [perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances] pollution.”
“EPA is putting the funding where the priorities are by working with our state partners to deliver clean water to communities, protect public health, and advance environmental justice across Puerto Rico and the nation,” EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. García said. “This funding is part of the once-in-a-lifetime investments we are making to transform infrastructure under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
“As a government we will continue to rebuild our drinking water infrastructure to make it a stronger and more resilient one,” Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia said. “The support that Puerto Rico is receiving from the federal government through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund is fundamental to our most disadvantaged communities and will result in a better quality of life for all.”
Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón pointed out that “[i]n the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, we saw the need to strengthen such infrastructure to prevent water service interruptions and ensure our communities have access to drinking water at all times.”