미국 환경보호청(EPA)은 미국 로렌스(Lawrence)시에 EPA의 새 물기반 사업지원(WaterCARE) 프로그램의 일환으로 식수 및 폐수인프라에 대한 재정적 기술적 원조를 지원할 예정이다. 이는 물 인프라에 대한 장기적인 요구를 충족시키기 위함이며 탄력적으로 재정 전략을 세울 계획이다.

 

로렌스 시는 WaterCARE 프로그램을 바탕으로 원조를 받는 10개 자치단체 중 한 곳으로 선정되었으며, 지속적으로 증대하는 재정에 대한 물 인프라의 개선 필요성에 등 지역 사회의 지속가능성을 이유로 선정되었다.

 

 

 

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency will help the City of Lawrence with of financial and technical guidance about making future investments in its drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. EPA’s new Water Community Assistance for Resiliency and Excellence (WaterCARE) program will assist in developing robust and resilient finance strategies for water infrastructure that meets long-term needs.

 

The City of Lawrence was one of ten communities nationally to be selected as a WaterCARE recipient. Lawrence was selected because of its dedication to increasing community sustainability by financing water infrastructure improvements.

 

Through WaterCARE, EPA can help communities to conduct financial evaluations including alternatives analyses, rate and revenue studies, water efficiency studies, and resiliency assessments. Services though the program may also include developing asset management programs, identifying financing options and partnership opportunities, and providing public engagement outreach and decision-maker training.

 

“Dependable water infrastructure is essential to community prosperity, and EPA is committed to providing financial guidance to help them invest in the necessary water infrastructure,” said EPA Regional Administrator Curt Spalding. “EPA is proud to make a visible difference in Lawrence and help invest in sustainable infrastructure, which is increasingly important as water resources are strained by the impacts of climate change.”

 

“Using federal funds to partner with local cities to address public needs puts us on a solid path to future growth and safer, healthier communities,” said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. “This EPA program will help modernize Lawrence’s infrastructure and reflects the City’s dedication to progress, revitalization and an environmentally friendly future for all Lawrence families.”

 

“I want to thank Curt Spalding and EPA as well as our State and Federal Government for this WaterCARE grant,” said Mayor Daniel Rivera. “Building and maintaining a strong water infrastructure is crucial to the public health of our residents, and I am looking forward to strengthening our water infrastructure through our capital improvement plan to ensure the safest water possible for our community.”

 

WaterCARE communities have a population less than 100,000, a need to address public health challenges, median household income considerations, and readiness to proceed with a capital improvement project. Project successes will be shared with other communities that have similar water infrastructure financing needs.

 

[출처 = Water World / 2016년 1월 28일]