Revolving Fund Grant Formula Could Better Reflect Infrastructure Needs, and EPA Could Improve Needs Estimate.

UNITED States. Environmental Protection Agency; TOTAL maximum daily load for water pollutants; COMBINED sewer overflows; SANITARY sewer overflow; CLEAN Water Act of 1972; FEDERALLY recognized Indian tribes; UNITED States. Government Accountability Office; GOVERNMENT aid; WATER rights; FINANCING of public health

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has conducted a study on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) program, which provides grants to states for clean water and wastewater infrastructure projects. The study found that the current grant formula used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not adequately reflect changes in clean water needs or address gaps between needs and communities' ability to pay. The experts recommend that EPA periodically update the allotment percentages based on current data, but this would require a change in the law. The study also suggests that EPA work with certain states to assess their needs for the next survey. Overall, the study recommends that Congress consider revising the Clean Water SRF allotment formula to align with program goals. [Extracted from the article]

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