Senator Murray Announces Over $68 Million in Recovery Funding to Improve Washington State’s Water Quality

Funds will go to Clean Water State Revolving Fund program

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that $68,151,900 has been released by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency to the Washington Department of Ecology. These funds, included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will be used for water quality protection projects for wastewater treatment, non-point source pollution control, and watershed and estuary management.

“By building clean-energy infrastructure and improving efficiency, this recovery funding will create jobs, boost the economy, and is a strong investment in clean water for our state,” said Senator Patty Murray. “Improving the safety and quality of our water systems is absolutely critical for our health and for Washington state’s economy.”

These funds, provided by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, will go to the state's Clean Water State Revolving Fund program. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund program provides low interest loans for water quality protection projects for wastewater treatment, non-point source pollution control, and watershed and estuary management.

An unprecedented $4 billion dollars will be awarded to fund wastewater infrastructure projects across the country under the Recovery Act in the form of low interest loans, principal forgiveness and grants. At least 20% of the funds provided under the Recovery Act are to be used for green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency improvements and other environmentally innovative projects.

As a senior member of the Senate committees that fund and oversee energy and water development, Murray worked to ensure that investments in Washington state’s water systems were a key component of the Recovery Act. Senator Murray voted to pass the Recovery Act on February 13th. The bill was signed into law by President Obama on February 17th.