RICHMOND–On July 27, Governor Ralph Northam announced plans for a $411.5 million investment in federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to reduce water pollution and increase access to clean water across the commonwealth. Substantial investments will be made to aging water systems and improve drinking water, waste water, and storm water infrastructure.
“With this funding, we have a tremendous opportunity to rebuild our aging water systems and ensure every Virginia family has reliable access to safe, clean drinking water,” said Governor Northam. “In addition to modernizing water and sewer infrastructure across the commonwealth, these investments will go a long way toward restoring the health of our waterways and reducing pollution in our communities.”
More than $300 million in ARP funding was already sent to towns in June, and $2.3 billion was made available to Virginia’s 133 counties and cities from the federal government to support these current issues.
“The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of ensuring all Virginians have access to basic necessities—safe housing, quality health care, food security, and reliable utilities,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Daniel Carey. “Investing in our water systems will help advance health equity and ensure a robust economic recovery.”