State and local intergovernmental associations, including NACWA, have begun regular meetings with EPA’s intergovernmental office and key Agency senior leadership on implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and how these investments will be distributed.

While there are several buckets of IIJA funding going to EPA to invest in health, equity, and resilience to American communities, a significant amount of funding is allocated to water infrastructure for lead service line replacement, clean water and drinking water state revolving funds, and funding to address concerns over emerging contaminants like PFAS.

In an initial effort, EPA sent a letter to state Governors outlining their specific Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) funding allocations. EPA’s Office of Water is working on issuing national program guidance to state primacy agencies on the most efficient and effective ways to distribute these funds to utilities. As this guidance is developed, the regular intergovernmental meetings with EPA provide NACWA and other stakeholders the opportunity to ask specific questions and raise key member concerns around implementation.

NACWA also continues to meet directly with EPA Office of Water senior staff and identify needed areas of input. As EPA targets early 2022 for releasing relevant guidance documents, NACWA is seeking member input on your top concerns and recommendations. NACWA staff is also working to coordinate information sharing and outreach with other water sector organizations. Please contact Kristina Surfus to discuss IIJA implementation and/or questions or suggestions to raise during these meetings with EPA.