By Patricia Hilliard • Executive Committee Member
A Bad Taste in the Water
There are various poster children lately for water quality crises. In 2014 Flint Michigan’s water supply was switched from Detroit to the Flint River to save money, thus inadvertently poisoning the drinking water. In 2022 the headlines pointed to Jackson, Mississippi, where flooding of the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant brought years-long water quality problems to a head. Infrastructure repairs were neglected due to a shortage of money. Where had the funding gone?
It is arguable that our nation’s water infrastructure might be in much better repair had we been more mindful of our spending. Seventeen years ago, former President George W. Bush told a big lie about weapons of mass destruction, kicking off the largely unsuccessful $8 trillion war on terror. Many activists protested the war and the neglect of our nation’s infrastructure.
The Covid-19 Silver Lining
In 2021, during the global pandemic, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act, allowing billions in federal aid to flow into water infrastructure projects. That money is still arriving, and New Jersey has not been left out. On December 8, 2022, Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration earmarked $9.95 million of this money for water quality improvement projects. More than $8 million of the grants will fund projects on lakes in or next to overburdened communities in New Jersey, resulting in improved water quality and increased recreational opportunities for residents of these communities. Although it’s a small sum relative to the need, that’s not all there is:
Other Aid for Clean Drinking Water came through Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was passed by Congress in 2021. This allocated money for infrastructure improvement for bridges, internet broadband, sewer systems and drinking water systems. New Jersey can expect to receive $1 billion over five years to improve water infrastructure and water quality.
What the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Did
In June 2022, the EPA stepped up its focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with new guidance and invited states and territories to apply for $1 billion, the first installment of $5 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant funding, to address PFAS and other drinking water contaminants, “specifically in small or disadvantaged communities.”
The EPA took another step on January 5, 2023, when it announced a $500 million loan to the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to modernize wastewater and drinking water systems serving over 10 million people throughout the state. This was the first loan issued through the State Infrastructure Financing Authority Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (SWIFIA) program.
Officials were ecstatic about the funding. “This historic infusion of federal funds will help New Jersey implement vital water infrastructure projects,” said Sen. Cory Booker, former mayor of Newark, where the water system has been plagued with lead contamination. “This funding will create hundreds of jobs and advance water infrastructure projects to address contaminants in drinking water, install water filtration systems, and replace lead pipes across our state.”
The Time of Neglect Is Over
We need to get the work done! But will these efforts be stalled by the struggles in Congress? We, the people, need to keep an eye on this infrastructure work and make sure the repairs are made. Join Sierra Club and get active on water quality advocacy and other important issues!