2022.02.17
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Contractors for Houston Public Works install a wastewater and drainage project in the Greater Eastwood neighborhood in this file photo from 2020. Communities across the country are choosing to use federal pandemic relief dollars for pipe repairs, infrastructure upgrades, and other water system needs. Photo © Elizabeth Conley / Circle of Blue

Billions Flow to Water Systems from Federal Pandemic Relief Funds

The sewer system needed so much repair work that Brad Cradeur, the executive director of the Louisiana coast's Iberia Parish Sewerage District No. 1, wasn’t sure how – or when – he would have enough money for it all.

Fortunately, the sewerage district doesn’t face that decision any more. To complete the sewer work, the district will receive $5.7 million in federal grants channeled through state and parish governments.

The American Rescue Plan Act — the relief bill that President Joe Biden signed into law on March 11, 2021 — set aside $350 billion to assist states, tribes, territories, and local governments in responding to financial challenges wrought by the pandemic. Water infrastructure improvements like the ones that Iberia Parish Sewerage District No. 1 will make are one of four broad spending categories authorized by the act.

Since ARPA became law nearly a year ago, government agencies have been determining how to divide their share of the pie. Many are putting — or are planning to put — significant resources into their water systems, a cash infusion meant to revitalize aging pipes and treatment facilities.

What’s Up With Water – February 15, 2022

For the news you need to start the week, tune into “What’s Up With Water” fresh on Monday’s on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, i Heart Radio, and SoundCloud.

Featured coverage from this week's episode of What's Up With Water looks at:

In China, sport and spectacle are trumping environmental stewardship. The Beijing games will be the first to take place primarily on artificial snow. To deliver the water to make the snow, China relied on engineering and coercion.
In the United States, a large city is changing the way that its poorest residents pay for water. Baltimore officials launched the Water 4 All program, which calculates monthly water bills based on household income.

This week Circle of Blue published the second story in a two-part investigation on the dangers of farm chemicals in drinking water. Those chemicals include nitrate, which is a public health problem due to the heavy use of fertilizers and the manure generated by livestock.

From the Archives:

Workers for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power climb on a 144-inch outlet pipe at a water treatment plant. Photo © J. Carl Ganter / Circle of Blue

Congress's Stealth Infrastructure Deal

When Congress passed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan in March of last year, lawmakers opened the public purse in an attempt to stoke the economy and help the country recover from a deadly pandemic.

In addition to the stimulus checks and support for families with Children, the act set aside $350 billion for states, cities, and tribal governments.

The act authorized several ways these state and local funds could be spent, including pay premium pay to essential workers, aid to businesses and households, and covering expenses incurred during the pandemic. The act also stated that funds can be used for "necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure."