EPA Potential Revisions to the Drinking Water Infrastructure Grant Tribal Set-Aside Allocation Formula

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is initiating consultation and coordination with federally recognized Indian tribes to inform potential revisions to the Drinking Water Infrastructure Grant Tribal Set-Aside (DWIG-TSA) allocation formula. The allocation formula is used to determine how DWIG-TSA funds are distributed among the EPA Regions with federally recognized Indian tribes (currently all 10 EPA Regions). These funds are then distributed by EPA Regions to eligible tribal drinking water infrastructure projects within each Region. As discussed in a webinar for tribal stakeholders, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) invests an unprecedented nationwide total of $50 billion investment to address disproportionate environmental burdens in historically underserved communities across the country. This funding, which will primarily flow through EPA’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs, will create jobs while upgrading America’s aging water infrastructure and addressing key challenges like lead in drinking water and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. Designated funding to tribes will be provided through the tribal set aside programs under the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts. EPA is reviewing the DWIG-TSA allocation formula to ensure that there is an equitable distribution of funds to areas of greatest drinking water infrastructure needs, taking into consideration new data sources and the institutional knowledge gained in the over two decades since the DWIG-TSA program’s inception.

Date/Time: Mar 1, 2022 3pm ET.

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