미국 환경보호청(EPA)는 지난 1월 20일 알라바마주 셀마(Selma)시가 식수·폐수 인프라에 투자하는 것을 돕기 위해 총 5만 달러의 재정적 지원 및 기술적 지원을 제공하겠다고 발표했다. EPA의 새 ‘회복성 및 탁월성을 위한 물공동체원조(WaterCARE, Water Community Assistance)’ 프로그램은 장기적인 수요를 충족하는 물 인프라에 대한 활발하고 탄력 있는 전략을 개발함으로써 지역자치단체를 지원할 것으로 기대된다.

국가 전체적으로 EPA는 10개 지자체에 총 50만 달러의 재정 및 기술지원을 제공할 계획이다.

 

 

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today it is providing a total of $50,000 in financial and technical guidance to help Selma, AL invest in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. EPA’s new Water Community Assistance for Resiliency and Excellence (WaterCARE) program will assist the community in developing robust and resilient finance strategies for water infrastructure that meets long-term needs.

 

Nationally, EPA will provide $500,000 for financial and technical assistance for 10 communities. 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.

 

“Communities depend on adequate drinking water and wastewater services to survive and thrive, and EPA is committed to providing financial guidance to help them invest in the necessary water infrastructure,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “The need for resilient and sustainable infrastructure becomes more important as water resources are strained by the impacts of climate change, such as flooding, drought, storms, and sea level rise.”

 

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.

 

WaterCARE will meet one-on-one with Selma to collaborate on activities needed to develop a financial strategy to meet their local needs. Initial observations indicate that the WaterCARE program could assist Selma in developing an alternatives analysis to identify the appropriate technology needed for their wastewater treatment plant, determine asset management practices that could be undertaken to identify short and long-term capital planning strategies to replace aging infrastructure, and explore possibilities for regional partnerships to assist surrounding communities with wastewater needs.

 

[출처 = Water World / 2016년 1월 20일]