The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $44.3 million in new Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) grant funding to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in Colorado communities that need it most.

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The EC-SDC grant program is part of a $1 billion national investment aimed at helping communities with testing, planning, and infrastructure projects related to PFAS and other contaminants. In Colorado, the funding will support drinking water systems and private well owners in addressing these issues.

"EPA is providing federal resources to make practical, durable water solutions a reality," said EPA Region 8 Administrator Cyrus Western. "We are directing funding to communities where investments in proven, cost-effective technologies will help utilities meet drinking water standards, protect human health, and deliver results that ratepayers can afford."

The agency has made $5 billion available through this program over five years. Additionally, more than $6.5 billion in low-interest financing is currently available through EPA's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Loan program to address PFAS.

EPA’s new PFAS OUTreach—or PFAS OUT—initiative is also accelerating progress by proactively working with communities and water systems to reduce exposure to PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. This initiative specifically aims to ensure small, rural, and disadvantaged water systems are not left behind.

For more information on the Emerging Contaminants – Small or Disadvantaged Communities grant program, visit https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/emerging-contaminants-ec-small-or-disadv….