The Source Water Collaborative is hosting its 4th webinar as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Webinar Series on May 30, 2024 from 2:30 – 4:00 PM Eastern Time titled Redefining “Disadvantaged Communities” in a New Water Infrastructure Era.
Please register for the webinar here.
BIL created a number of opportunities for equitable outcomes for disadvantaged communities in the financing of water infrastructure. The law now requires SRF programs to provide 49% of BIL money to disadvantaged communities as principal forgiveness loans or grants. This allows additional communities that have struggled to access water infrastructure funding to receive the support they need. This webinar will share:
- how the SRF programs are given authority to determine what constitutes a “disadvantaged community” and this varies greatly across the country.
- how states have ensured their definitions bring about the most equitable outcome possible.
- the role public participation requirements had in modifying their definitions.
- challenges states have had in implementing the funding.
- what clean water advocates can do to help states achieve the most equitable process possible for source water protection in their programs.
Speakers:
- Michael Grange, Infrastructure Funding Section Manager for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Drinking Water
- Shannon Fisher, Program Manager for the North Dakota Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program
- Marissa Jacobi, Public Health Treatment Program Administrator for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program
- Sean Jackson, National Water Campaigns Coordinator for Clean Water Action (Facilitator)
Expected Webinar Audience: The webinar is targeted to states, water utilities, source water protection staff, state BIL funding program staff, source water collaboratives, federal agencies, and other water stakeholders.
BIL Learning Exchange
Visit the BIL Learning Exchange to access recorded webinars and other resources to help water stakeholders use the new BIL funding for source water protection. The Learning Exchange:
- Provides information to member networks and others to spur increased use of BIL funding to support source water protection
- Highlights types of source water protection and green infrastructure projects eligible for funding
- Identifies and addresses barriers for using BIL Emerging Contaminants funding for source water protection
- Develops best practices for funding mechanisms to obtain and use BIL funds, and
- Highlights case studies or example projects.
Sign up here to receive notification about future BIL-related information and other news from the national Source Water Collaborative.
There is no cost to participate in this webinar. Please share this information with your colleagues.