Post-Helene Grant Funding Will Repair State Water System to Ensure Future Access to Safe Drinking Water Amid Response to Natural Disasters
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s recent allocation of $409.4 million to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) for public water systems. This funding will improve local drinking water utility infrastructure so systems across the state are better equipped to withstand natural disasters.
“Since Hurricane Helene struck last September, repairing Western North Carolina’s damaged infrastructure to be stronger and more reliable in the future has been a key component of all ongoing recovery efforts as Western North Carolina rebuilds,” said Senator Budd. “I am grateful to President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin for their efforts to ensure North Carolina receives critical grant funding to restructure and reinforce the quality of our water systems, enabling our recovering communities to build more durable infrastructure. This is a step in the right direction to aid reconstruction efforts and mitigate future natural disasters.”
“In February, I visited communities in Asheville to witness firsthand the crucial role drinking water utilities have in responding to natural disasters,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “This funding to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality will help secure the infrastructure of these systems to ensure EPA can fulfill its core mission to protect human health and the environment.”
BACKGROUND:
These funds are part of the 2025 Supplemental Appropriation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the Hawai’i Wildfires, administered by the State Revolving Fund. The funds may be used to improve drinking water treatment, distribute water, improve the source of water supply, replace or construct finished water storage tanks, and complete other infrastructure projects needed to protect public health through improved drinking water infrastructure.
Section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorizes states to utilize funds to further the act’s health protection objectives. Funds will capitalize North Carolina’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), which may then make low-interest loans with principal forgiveness toward the cost of planning, design, and construction of eligible drinking water improvement projects.
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