EPA Invests in Making America Healthy Again with Announcement of $2.1 Million to Improve Drinking Water Across New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
New York, N.Y. - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing $2.1 million in grant funding to help improve drinking water infrastructure across New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These grants will help Make America Healthy Again by providing communities with needed resources to make critical drinking water infrastructure upgrades, combat Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), remove sources of lead, and address specific local drinking water challenges.
“Reliable access to clean, safe drinking water is essential for American communities to thrive and a top priority for the Trump EPA,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, Jess Kramer. “Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American is Pillar 1 of Administrator Zeldin’s ‘Powering the Great American Comeback’ Initiative. Small and rural water systems often face disproportionate challenges when it comes to drinking water, and these grants will help them access needed resources to make important water infrastructure investments that will protect Americans from the dangers of PFAS and other harmful contaminants.”
“Families should be able to trust that the water coming from their tap is clean, safe and dependable,” said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. “Across New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, EPA is supporting urgent water system upgrades that will help communities protect public health, improve water quality and meet Safe Drinking Water Act standards.”
"The SmaRT Drinking Water Assistance Program is a valuable tool to help improve drinking water infrastructure in Puerto Rico's rural and small communities," said Governor Jenniffer González-Colón. "We are committed to making the best possible use of these federal resources to ensure their benefits reach those who need them most. I appreciate EPA's continued partnership and commitment to protecting the health of Puerto Rico's communities and environment."
The fiscal year 2026 funding announced for EPA Region 2 includes:
- New York: $1,039,000
- Puerto Rico: $524,000
- New Jersey: $370,000
- U.S. Virgin Islands: $176,000
Approximately $25 million is available nationwide through the Small, Rural, and Tribal (SmaRT) Drinking Water Assistance Program. This grant program was established under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act to help water systems provide clean, safe drinking water. The funding is available to states and territories, who are responsible for administering the grant funds and ensuring that the funds efficiently and effectively reach communities that need assistance with local water infrastructure upgrades or Safe Drinking Water Act compliance.
More information on this grant program and this year’s allotments can be found on the SmaRT website. Tribal allotments for this program will be released separately.
Background:
The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act establishes the SmaRT grant program – formerly known as Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities (SUDC) – to award funding to states, territories, and tribes to assist public water systems in meeting Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements.
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