Drinking water systems imperiled by failing infrastructure, concerns over

Despite the need, the largest federal aid program for drinking water improvements, the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, has more than $1 billion sitting unspent in government accounts, according to a review of data by The Associated Press.

Utah is one of 34 states with more than $10 million in unused grant funds, a review by The Associated Press shows. That is largely the result of project delays, poor management by some states and structural problems. Of that total, $30.4 million remained unspent.

“When you have that age of infrastructure, it takes a lot to maintain it”, said Mathieu, adding that every water system that has participated in the loan program has been looking forward to the possibility of getting the grant money since the legislation passed.

It required the state to borrow money to fund the grant program, which aimed to supplement the state’s federally funded low-interest loan program for water systems.

There are about 1,400 public water systems in Vermont, from the largest communities down to systems that serve as few as 25 people, and many of those face the same challenges being seen around the country, said Eric Blatt of the water supply division of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. States then have some flexibility to decide how to distribute the money to projects, based first on public-health considerations. Experts say the trend is sure to accelerate as the cost of water, treatment and delivery comes into line with how essential water is to our daily lives.

Peter Grevatt, director of the EPA’s office of groundwater and drinking water, said states have made “a very significant improvement” in reducing their unspent money and would continue making strides. But it also discourages projects in some small towns, where officials say they can not afford to repay loans without raising water bills to unaffordable levels.

“It’s hugely important to meet the infrastructure needs, and it’s always hugely important to keep the drinking water program run out of the state”, Pillsbury said.