미국 환경보호청(EPA)는 공공의 건강과 환경을 보호하기 위해 필수적인 물 프로젝트의 재정 개선을 위해 6개 주를 포함하는 뉴잉글랜드 지역에 수백만 달러를 지원한다. 해당 자금은 노후된 인프라의 교체뿐만 아니라 주로 하수 플랜트 및 상하수도 시스템의 개선을 위해 사용된다.

 

지원 금액으로는 △버몬트주 1천560만 달러 △로드아일랜드주 1천820만 달러 △뉴햄프셔주 2천270만 달러 △매사추세츠주 6천370만 달러 △메인주 1천960만 달러 △코네티컷주 2천6백만 달러 등이 해당한다.

 

 

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded millions in funding to six New England states to help finance improvements to water projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment. The funds will be primarily used to upgrade sewage plants and drinking water systems, as well as replacing aging infrastructure. The breakdown is as follows: $15.6 million to the State of Vermont, $18.2 million to the State of Rhode Island, $22.7 million to the State of New Hampshire, $63.7 million to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, $19.6 million to the State of Maine, and $26 million to the State of Connecticut.

 

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program in each of these states received significant portion of the moneys. EPA’s funding in this area provides low-interest loans for water quality protection projects to make improvements to wastewater treatment systems, control pollution from stormwater runoff, and protect sensitive water bodies and estuaries.

 

Additionally, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program in these states received a portion of the overall funding in the form of 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.

 

Since the beginning of this program, EPA has awarded approximately $380 million to Vermont, $443 million to Rhode Island, to $600 million to New Hampshire, $1.9 billion to Massachusetts, $497 million to Maine, and $734 million to Connecticut for the construction, expansion and upgrading of clean water infrastructure resulting in decreased pollution entering waterbodies throughout the state.

 

As communities develop and climate patterns shift, water infrastructure needs are expected to grow. Green infrastructure is a cost-effective and resilient approach to water infrastructure needs that provides benefits to communities across the nation.

 

[출처 = Water World / 2015년 12월 2일]