Menendez, Booker Applaud $74 Million to Fortify Sewage Treatment, Drinking Water Systems

Press Release

U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker today applauded the award of $74 million to New Jersey to help finance improvements to water projects that are essential in protecting public health and the environment. This annually awarded funding is in addition to the $229 million New Jersey received for Superstorm Sandy resiliency projects and will be used to upgrade sewage plants and drinking water systems throughout the state.

"Strengthening the infrastructure that keeps our drinking water safe and our wastewater treatment plants operating is absolutely critical in protecting public health and our environment," said Sen. Menendez. "Climate change likely means more storms like Sandy and this funding will help fortify our systems, making sure they're operating even in the toughest weather."

"It is vital that we prioritize investments in New Jersey's aging sewage and water infrastructure so that New Jerseyans always have access to clean drinking water," said Sen. Booker. "I am committed to advocating for more funding like this grant which is not only important to the sustainability of our water ecosystems, but also essential to proactively ensuring that our wastewater plants are capable of withstanding future storms."

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program received $57 million. EPA's funding provides low interest loans for water quality protection projects to make improvements to wastewater treatment systems, control pollution from rain water runoff, and protect sensitive water bodies and estuaries.

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program received $17 million. EPA's funding provides low interest loans to finance improvements to drinking water systems, with a particular focus on providing funds to small and disadvantaged communities and to programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water.

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