Of the $6 billion allocated for drinking water and clean water state revolving funds (SRF) by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, 100% was committed to signed contracts in time for the Feb. 17 deadline, according to a release issued by the American Water Works Assn. (ARRA).
"Not one dime had to be reallocated," Lisa Jackson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency chief, told Congress in late February. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., responded, "If we had more money, the need is there."
The Drinking Water SRF, which received an extra $2 billion appropriation from ARRA, has 1,348 project agreements signed with contracts executed. Construction has begun on more than 80% of those projects--1,097 projects, valued at $1.5 billion.
The drinking water projects exceeded the requirement that 20% of the projects be "green." The final tally showed 513 drinking water projects (valued at $539.1 million) met the green requirements--28.8 %.
Source: AWWA
