White House is distributing $5.8B from the infrastructure law for water projects

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration announced Tuesday that it will distribute another $5.8 billion for water infrastructure projects across the country, paid for by one of its most significant legislative victories.

The new allocations will go to projects in all fifty states, bringing the total awarded to states for water infrastructure projects to $22 billion. The money will come from the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that President Joe Biden signed into law during his first year in office, the White House said.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Michael Regan, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, will formally unveil the plans later Tuesday at an event in Pittsburgh.

The infrastructure bill includes more than $50 billion to improve America’s water infrastructure, and is being touted by the Biden administration as the largest investment in clean water in American history.

The White House said Tuesday’s announcement includes $3.2 billion for what is known as the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which can be used for upgrades to water treatment plants, water distribution and plumbing systems, and replacement of lead pipes. It also includes $1 billion for seven major rural water projects, and $1 billion in support for drinking water projects in the Great Lakes.