Earlier in August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it would allocate $409.4 million to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) for public water systems to improve local drinking water utility infrastructure so their systems can better withstand natural disasters.
“In February, I visited communities in Asheville to witness firsthand the crucial role drinking water utilities have in responding to natural disasters,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “This funding to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality will help secure the infrastructure of these systems to ensure EPA can fulfill its core mission to protect human health and the environment.”
The funds are part of the 2025 Supplemental Appropriation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the Hawaii Wildfires, administered by the State Revolving Fund. The funds may be used to improve drinking water treatment, distribute water, improve the source of water supply, replace or construct finished water storage tanks and complete other infrastructure projects needed to protect public health through improved drinking water infrastructure.
Section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorizes states to utilize funds to further the act’s health protection objectives. Funds will capitalize North Carolina’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), which may then make low-interest loans with principal forgiveness toward the cost of planning, design and construction of eligible drinking water improvement projects.
“When a natural disaster strikes, local communities need a public water system they can count on,” added EPA Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber. “These funds will help local governments create resilient systems that can better withstand floods, fires and other weather events so the water keeps flowing.”
“As mayor of Hot Springs, I’ve seen firsthand how storms can disrupt the lives of every person in our small community,” said Town of Hot Springs Mayor Abigail L. Norton. “Clean, safe drinking water is something folks sometimes take for granted until disaster strikes. This funding means our town can protect our water and our people for years to come. We’re grateful to the EPA and NCDEQ for helping Hot Springs build a future where families can feel secure, no matter what nature throws our way.”
“Helene completely destroyed both of the Town of Burnsville’s raw water intakes, leaving residents, businesses, schools, medical facilities and government agencies without water,” said Town of Burnsville Mayor Russell Fox. “The town is still running on a temporary pumping system until the primary intake system can be rebuilt. The cost of providing water service to users has increased dramatically since the storm. The need for funding is always an issue but even more so now. We need to strengthen our systems against disasters, and the EPA funding has given us that opportunity. The Town of Burnsville is very grateful.”
“The Town of Old Forts water system was destroyed by Hurricane Helene,” said Town of Old Forts Mayor Pam Snypes. “Fortunately, our citizens were provided water as quickly as possible, but it was provided with Band-aid repairs. Over the last ten months the town has been working to make those repairs more efficient. Repairs are very expensive. The availability of these funds will provide a way to ensure going forward that out water system will be a stable system in the event another disaster occurs.”
Leave a Reply