Staff Reports | Community Udpates
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awarding more than $2.9 million in grant funding to support drinking water infrastructure improvements in the Pacific Southwest.
The funding will support upgrades to water systems, efforts to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, removal of lead sources and other local water challenges, according to a press release.
“Reliable access to clean, safe drinking water is essential for American communities to thrive and a top priority for the Trump EPA,” said Jess Kramer, EPA assistant administrator for water.
“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.”
Nationwide, approximately $25 million is available through the Small, Rural, and Tribal Drinking Water Assistance Program. The program was established under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act to help water systems provide safe drinking water.
“Improving local water infrastructure is especially important to our small towns, Pacific Island territories, and Tribal communities across the Pacific Southwest,” said Mike Martucci, EPA Pacific Southwest acting regional administrator. “These funds will advance drinking water safety in communities vulnerable to contamination from infrastructure deficiencies.”
States and territories administer the grant funding and direct resources to communities needing infrastructure upgrades or Safe Drinking Water Act compliance.
For fiscal year 2026, allocations in the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region include:
- American Samoa: $138,000
- Arizona: $449,000
- California: $1,594,000
- Guam: $159,000
- Hawaii: $174,000
- Nevada: $288,000
- Northern Mariana Islands: $141,000
