Federal funding could help small towns upgrade water, wastewater infrastructure

HOWARDVILLE, Mo. — While it is the large cities like Flint, Michigan, that capture the attention of the need to upgrade the nation’s aging water infrastructure, it is the small towns that may be the most vulnerable.

A law signed by President Joe Biden in December is designed to help some of the smallest and poorest communities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes $50 billion to address disproportionate environmental burdens in historically underserved communities. It is a law, government officials point out, that could benefit many Southeast Missouri towns.

Just after the law was signed, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan sent a letter to Missouri Gov. Mike Parson encouraging him to maximize Missouri’s share - $147,152,000 to the State Revolving Fund in 2022. Regan urged Missouri’s governor to use the funds to create jobs while addressing such problems as lead and other contamination in drinking water.

Jeff Robichaud, water division director for EPA Region 7, which includes Southeast Missouri, said there is a real need to address the aging water and wastewater systems.

For children, exposure to lead can cause irreversible and lifelong health effects, including decreasing IQ, focus and academic achievement, according to the EPA. At the same time, families that live near high levels of contaminants such as PFAS or “forever chemicals” are at risk to develop adverse health outcomes.

“There is a lot of pent up need and we are hoping the bill will provide the resources communities need the most,” Robichaud said in a telephone interview. He explained in Region 7, he would like to see a focus on smaller communities, particularly towns of 400 or fewer people.

“This would be a shot in the arm for those communities,” he said. “We are working hard with the state to get the resources to those who need it the most.”

Among the first to be contacted about the availability of funds for communities with needs was Howardville, according to Vanessa Frazier, who has worked with the community on several government projects.

While agreeing there is a need to address safe drinking water for residents in small communities Frazier, like other environmental advocates, has concerns with the new law.

Advocates have expressed concerns that the 10-year goal for replacing lead lines and other provisions are vague on commitments and details. Frazier said she is unsure how the EPA will be able to ensure work is done properly.

“This is going to be a trial to see if the EPA can put teeth into what we are dealing with,” Frazier said.

However, she added removal of lead and other “forever chemicals” from drinking water is essential. But those projects can also be expensive, she added.

“Water is essential for cooking, bathing and drinking, yet in rural communities, we are just busy trying to make ends meet.” she said.

For small communities, Frazier continued, some of the biggest challenges are just dealing with the government requirements to obtain the funding.

“How are we going to apply? There are challenges and barriers . . . you have to go through so many hoops,” she said. “I don’t see how we can get things done with so many obstacles waiting on us.”

Robichaud acknowledged that many small communities would have trouble coming up with the necessary funding for infrastructure replacement, even for the matching funds. He noted a key factor to the new law is about 49 percent of the funding will come in the form of grants or forgiveness loans.

He said he and others are already working with the state to find ways to do away with the impediments to make sure the communities get the money. For example, he said they are looking at finding ways to work directly with small town officials and helping them fill out the needed forms to ensure they can access the resources being made available by the new law.

Also Robichaud said federal officials are working with state officials to find flexible approaches to provide the required matching funds.

“With government these things take time,” he said. “But we are moving at light speed on this with both ourselves and the state. We hope funding will start rolling in to the state early (this) year.”

He encouraged community leaders to identify their needs and reach out to state officials. If local officials are unsure whether their projects would be eligible he suggested they contact the EPA.

With the funding allotted over five years, Robichaud said a variety of community needs could be met.

“We are excited. This is once in a life time opportunity to inject resources into communities and we really want to focus on rural and disadvantaged communities,” he said. “We are very cognizant that communities are struggling but they shouldn’t have to struggle to keep water and wastewater very affordable.”