[미국] EPA, 메인주 물인프라 프로젝트에 1천960만 달러 지원

미국 환경보호국(EPA)은 공중 보건 및 환경을 보호하는 데 필수적인 수저원 프로젝트의 재정 개선을 돕기 위해 메인(Maine)주에 1천960만 달러를 지급했다. 이 기금은 주 전역에 걸쳐 노후화된 인프라를 교체할 뿐만 아니라 하수시설과 식수시스템을 업그레이드하는 데 주로 사용될 것이다.

메인주 환경보호국(DEP)과 메인 주립 채권은행(MMBB)이 운영하는 청정 수자원 회전 기금(CWSRF) 프로그램은 1천80만 달러를 받았다. EPA의 자금은 폐수처리 시스템 개선, 우수 유출로 인한 오염 통제, 민감한 수역 및 하구 보호와 같은 수질 보호 프로젝트에 이자율이 낮은 융자를 제공한다.

 
메인즈 보건복지부(DHHS)와 MMBB가 운영하는 CWSRF 프로그램은 880만 달러를 받았다. EPA의 자금은 작고 빈곤한 지역사회와 안전한 식수를 보장하기 위한 도구로써 오염 예방을 권장하는 프로그램에 자금을 제공하는 데 특별히 초점을 맞춰 식수 시스템의 재정 개선을 위한 이자율이 낮은 융자를 제공한다.

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WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN MAINE GET $19.6M IN FUNDING

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $19.6 million to the State of Maine 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, throughout the state.

 
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program, administrated by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Maine Municipal Bond Bank (MMBB), received $10.8 million. EPA's funding 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.

 
The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program, administrated by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and MMBB, received $8.8 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.

 
"This funding will pay for projects that improve water quality and protect drinking water across Maine, and will provide benefits for decades to come," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "Clean drinking water and proper wastewater treatment are fundamental to protecting people's health, but aging water infrastructure needs to be upgraded and repaired. EPA's funding will help continue Maine's program to invest in drinking water and wastewater systems and protect people's health."

 
"Protection and improvement of Maine's waters is a continual process that takes a collaborative effort between federal, state and municipal governments, funding agencies, and most important the public," said Avery Day, Acting Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. "This funding is important to help the State assist communities with affordable funding for projects that protect or improve public health and the environment, while at the same time providing sustainability and growth for our communities."

 
"We are very grateful for this state-federal partnership that provides the financial cornerstone to maintaining drinking water and clean water infrastructure in Maine," said Michael R. Goodwin, Executive Director, Maine Municipal Bond Bank. "This program provides low cost financing to municipalities and utility districts throughout Maine in order to assist them in making improvements that help to protect our natural resources, as well as the health and safety of the residents of Maine. These funds allow the completion of much-needed repairs and improvements in a cost-effective and efficient manner and will help to ensure the availability of clean water for years to come."

 
Since the beginning of this program, EPA has awarded approximately $497 million to Maine for the construction, expansion and upgrading of clean water infrastructure resulting in decreased pollutant loadings to 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 / 2017년 7월 19일]