CWSRF Environmental Benefits 2014 Report
CWSRF Environmental Benefits 2014 Report
Results of a program having executed 35,000 assistance agreements to help protect and restore drinking water sources, wildlife habitat, recreational resources, and other beneficial uses. Eligible entities have been able to upgrade and repair wastewater treatment plants, correct combined and sanitary sewer overflows, and protect waterbodies from nonpoint sources of pollution. Of funding designated for the protection and restoration of impaired waters, 6,586 projects focused on aquatic life and wildlife. Concerning the support of surface water, we saw a focus on protection over restoration. Green project reserve accounted for 11 percent of total assistance in 2014. 95 percent of subsidies went to those who could not afford the project without said subsidy. $474 million emergency funds from CWSRF programs went to the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in accordance with the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act.
Review of Allotment of CWSRF Report
Review of Allotment of CWSRF Report
This Report to Congress presents the results of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review of the current CWSRF allotment and its adequacy to address the water quality needs of eligible states, District of Columbia, and U.S. territories (collectively referred to as States). The 1987 Water Quality Act established the original allotment based on population, needs, and other factors that are complex and difficult to discern. Most States do not currently receive appropriated funds in proportion to their reported needs or population, which demonstrates the inadequacy of the current allotment. In chapter 3 the EPA provides possible options to update the allotment in the future. The report uses CWNS 2012 needs, 2010 resident population, water quality impairment component ratio, and the ratio of CWSRF assistance to federal capitalization to determine the allotments for all states. The report then provides several options, and several potential allotment formulas (such that needs are at least 50 percent of the formula, population is at least 30 percent, and the minimum allotment for states are 0.5 percent). The current allotment adequately reflects the water quality needs for only 14 States. To more adequately reflect changes over time, EPA recommends that Congress update the allotment on a regular schedule.
SRFs Up Annual Newsletter 2015
SRFs Up Annual Newsletter 2015
EPA is in the process of standardizing web content across all of its programs. As part of this effort, we are pleased to introduce a new and improved CWSRF website. EPA will distribute SRFs Up in August each year to state partners and other stakeholders, including Facebook and twitter. Updates will include projects of interest, water headlines, webinar series, and an annual report. Success stories include New York’s wastewater treatment, Arizona’s solar energy plan for their wastewater plant, land conservation in Virginia, and infrastructure planning guides in Oklahoma. EPA headquarter updates of an NIMS-CBR merger and CWSRF eligibilities compendium are accompanied by the announcement of further WRRDA Implementation training.
SRFs Up Annual Newsletter 2016
SRFs Up Annual Newsletter 2016
EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program is the nation’s largest federally supported water infrastructure program, providing over $118 billion in assistance since 1988. This issue will explore CWSRF assistance to small and disadvantaged communities – what we’re doing to serve them now and what we hope to accomplish in the future. We’ll examine data collected by our state partners and share a one-on-one conversation with CWSRF staff in the State of Nebraska to explore their program’s successes and discuss the challenges they face in serving disadvantaged communities. Along the way we will learn more about the activities of EPA’s new Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Finance Center (WIRFC), highlight successful CWSRF projects from around the country, and provide an overview of news and events at EPA.
SRFs Up Annual Newsletter 2018
SRFs Up Annual Newsletter 2018
CWSRF partnerships include a Nonpoint Source Program, the National Estuary Program, various partnerships for marketing and outreach, watershed financing partnerships, and the offices in the EPA concerning contaminated sites. Find 2018 PISCES Exceptional Projects, and headquarter updates included. Amongst which will include the modernization of the SRF database, and case studies of states that have successfully satisfied the Green Project Reserve through CWSRF financing. In 2018, the AIS program completed 35 site visits across 10 states. The site visits provide an opportunity for communities to ask project-specific AIS questions and receive EPA recommendations for improving their AIS documentation prior to project completion. Read on to hear more.
SRFs Up Annual Newsletter 2019
SRFs Up Annual Newsletter 2019
In recent years, SRFs have undertaken a variety of marketing and outreach efforts. This issue highlights several of these state activities and celebrates the success of these efforts. It answers questions such as “are flood control projects eligible for CWSRF assistance” or how can the CWSRF support water quality trading”. It discusses the five innovative financing mechanisms available to the CWSRFs: programmatic financing, portfolio financing, extended term financing, sponsorship financing, and co-financing. It also includes overviews of case studies such as Oklahoma’s marketing survey focus groups, and Kansas’ no-till cover crop agriculture NPS program. Further summarized are the 13 exceptional projects from 2019 under the CWSRF’s (PISCES) Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success program. These are recognized projects that have demonstrated excellence in promoting EPA’s mission of protecting human health and the environment.
Operation and Maintenance of Green Infrastructure Report
Operation and Maintenance of Green Infrastructure Report
The report examines the O&M practices of 22 green infrastructure projects funded by the ARRA CWSRF, and highlights both the opportunities and challenges associated with green infrastructure O&M. Activities examined include planning and tracking of maintenance, training and education, use of partnerships, and funding. 27 percent of percent of projects have tracking systems and 55 percent have accountability mechanisms, while 59 percent have developed training and education related to O&M. Amongst projects surveyed, 36 percent had public-private partnerships fulfilling funding and/or labor for O&M activities. 59 percent of all projects have a dedicated source of funding established. Lastly, the report finds that having a centralized authority to oversee compliance yields optimal maintenance results (which is essential to ESG benefits of green infrastructure and meeting their intended goals). Write out the planned procedure to ensure success. Read on the gray vs. green infrastructure divide, or perhaps on the challenges and opportunities of financing green infrastructure and O&M through the nation’s CWSRF. Touch on how to design with maintenance in mind, reducing the cost of a project over its lifespan.
ARRA GPR Compilation Report
ARRA GPR Compilation Report
ARRA provided funding for a variety of infrastructure projects, including $4 billion dollars of supplementary funding to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Programs and $2 billion to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. This report was developed for informational purposes with funding made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Its contents compile information that has been received by the agency. Divided into 10 regions, the EPA speaks to cities in those states which reside in each region. Each town report covers the primary GRP category, total SRF loan amount, general project description (and environmental benefits) followed by a project narrative and associated costs.
Planning for Sustainability-Handbook for Water Utilities
Planning for Sustainability-Handbook for Water Utilities
In September 2010, EPA released the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Policy which described EPA’s overall vision and priorities for ensuring the long term sustainability of water infrastructure and communities throughout the nation. The following handbook for water utilities is an EPA effort to focus on the project development phase to create cost-effective, resource efficient, community-specific projects satisfying all stakeholders. This guide is written with a focus on long term solutions which incorporate planning for sustainability considerations. Utility benefits include minimizing costs, maximizing results of investments, improving our analysis of alternatives, engendering greater community support, and ensuring successful financial strategies. The handbook should be used for strategic planning, capital planning, system-wide planning for regulatory requirements, specific infrastructure project planning, and long-range integrated water resource planning. You can expect typical processes (identifying goals, setting objectives, assessing alternatives, and developing financial strategies) in conjunction with an ongoing asset management program. Read on for details and examples to aid in planning for sustainability.
Memo Making Business Cases Not Mandatory
Memo Making Business Cases Not Mandatory
A memo to the CWSRF Chiefs to change to the CWSRF SPR Guidance in 2017, to inform you of a change to the 2012 document that states will no longer be required to establish a “business case” for GPR projects. Originally states were encouraged to exercise due diligence through this requirement; now outdated, states can use the guidance document and their best judgement upon the project eligibility of the GPR provision.
