412 Clean Water Bond Applications Submitted
RALEIGH -- Local governments from across the state have submitted 412 applications to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources to receive grant and loan money for drinking water and wastewater system improvements from the Clean Water Critical Needs Bond Act of 1998.
The 188 first-round drinking water applications sent to the Division of Environmental Health total $354 million in grants and $32 million in loans. The amount available for first and second round is $165 million in grants and $150 million in loans.
The 217 first-round wastewater applications sent to the Division of Water Quality total $439 million in grants and $13.5 million in loans. The amount available for first and second round is $165 million in grants and $150 million in loans.
"The large number of requests for help in improving water and wastewater infrastructure shows the level of need all across the state. Clean water is the backbone of public health, economic growth and quality of life of our communities," said Bill Holman, assistant secretary of environment for the department.
First-round drinking water recipients will be announced by June 30 at www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/pws/dave2.htm. Wastewater recipients will be announced after July 8. The second-round deadline is September 30. First-round applicants that did not receive money will automatically roll over into the second round of selection.
Clean Water Bond money is for local governments only. The money is for
construction of new or improvements to existing drinking water or wastewater systems. Priority will go to applicants that meet state regulations such as financial responsibility and watershed protection, and that show critical public health needs, involve regional systems and plan for future growth.
In 1998, North Carolina voters overwhelmingly approved a clean water
bond referendum to provide $330 million in state grants and $300 million in loans to help local governments repair and improve water supply systems and wastewater collection and treatment. The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center has released a study of more than 650 water and sewer systems in mostly rural areas. The study found that the need for improving and repairing water and sewer systems is more than $11 billion.
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Date Posted: 06/03/99
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