Originally published by the Getches-Wilkinson Center Blog on Oct. 16, 2024
This resource鈥�Opening the Tap鈥攐utlines Environmental Protection Agency programs established or funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that provide financial or technical assistance for the many barriers drinking water or basic sanitation. For some communities, this barrier comes in form of non-existent water infrastructure. In others, existing infrastructure is no longer able to function as intended because it is in dire need of repairs or upgrades, or is threatened by disruptive events ranging from deep freezes and droughts to cyberattacks.
Opening the Tap听is geared towards local community members and professionals alike who are working to improve access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation services no matter their needs or where they鈥檙e located. It provides basic information on whether those programs could apply to your situation, how to access those programs, and where you can turn for more information and assistance.
To ensure that this resource is accessible to everyone, it is organized as follows:
- First,听Opening the Tap听lists contact information at EPA for specific programs designed to address drinking water or sewer wastewater challenges.
听 - Second, this resource summarizes programs that were established by, or received significant funding from, BIL. The summary highlights potential recipients (for example, Tribes, municipal governments, or non-government organizations), categories of water projects (drinking water versus sewer wastewater), and project stages (for example, preconstruction or construction).
听 - Third, additional information for each program found in the program summary, such as example activities a program is known to support, how to request assistance from those programs, and additional resources like websites or videos that may improve your understanding of the program, is explained in more detail in a series of program profiles.
听 - Lastly, an Appendix lists every project type and activity that has been listed throughout this resource. The Appendix also lists whether that activity may be described with an alternative name (think 鈥渆nvironmental review鈥� versus 鈥渆nvironmental assessments鈥� versus 鈥渆nvironmental evaluations鈥�).
Opening the Tap听is also meant to start a dialogue about how these programs can be improved. The projects and activities known to be supported by EPA鈥檚 water programs through BIL are listed. Perhaps this reveals that certain activities in popular demand aren鈥檛 currently being met by the existing landscape of assistance available. Are certain pockets of communities experiencing water insecurity ineligible for assistance in most of these programs? Are there potential areas of synergy between objectives surrounding water that can be uniquely realized, such as protection endangered species habitat while also protecting source water? To that end, I welcome any comments and questions about this resource. Reach out via听gwc@colorado.edu.