EPA allocates $409.4 million to prepare local North Carolina communities for future natural disasters
Yesterday, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it allocated $409.4 million to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) for public water systems to improve drinking water utility infrastructures to better prepare for natural disasters.
These funds come from the 2025 Supplemental Appropriation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the Hawai’i Wildfires, administered by the State Revolving Fund. They can be used to improve drinking water treatment, distribute water, improve the source of water supply, replace or construct finished water storage tanks and complete other infrastructure projects needed to protect health through improved drinking water infrastructure.
Section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorizes states to utilize funds to further the act’s health protection objectives. Funds will capitalize North Carolina’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), which may then make low-interest loans with principal forgiveness toward the cost of planning, design and construction of eligible drinking water improvement projects.
What They Are Saying:
“In February, I visited communities in Asheville to witness firsthand the crucial role drinking water utilities have in responding to natural disasters,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “This funding to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality will help secure the infrastructure of these systems to ensure EPA can fulfill its core mission to protect human health and the environment.”
“Since Hurricane Helene struck last September, repairing Western North Carolina’s damaged infrastructure to be stronger and more reliable in the future has been a key component of all ongoing recovery efforts as Western North Carolina rebuilds,” said Senator Budd. “I am grateful to President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin for their efforts to ensure North Carolina receives critical grant funding to restructure and reinforce the quality of our water systems, enabling our recovering communities to build more durable infrastructure. This is a step in the right direction to aid reconstruction efforts and mitigate future natural disasters.”
“Hurricane Helene severely damaged drinking water systems throughout Western North Carolina and thousands of people were without safe drinking water for weeks," said NCDEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. "These investments will make drinking water systems more resilient to future storms, helping to ensure that communities have uninterrupted access to healthy water.”
“As Western North Carolina continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene, this funding is an important investment in building stronger, more resilient water infrastructure,” said U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC). “Reliable access to clean drinking water is essential for public health and economic stability as communities recover. I appreciate the EPA’s commitment to supporting our state as we work to rebuild critical infrastructure and make communities whole again.”
“As mayor of Hot Springs, I’ve seen firsthand how storms can disrupt the lives of every person in our small community,” said Town of Hot Springs Mayor Abigail L. Norton. “Clean, safe drinking water is something folks sometimes take for granted until disaster strikes. This funding means our town can protect our water and our people for years to come. We’re grateful to the EPA and NCDEQ for helping Hot Springs build a future where families can feel secure, no matter what nature throws our way.”
“Helene completely destroyed both of the Town of Burnsville's raw water intakes, leaving residents, businesses, schools, medical facilities and government agencies without water,” said Town of Burnsville Mayor Russell Fox. “The town is still running on a temporary pumping system until the primary intake system can be rebuilt. The cost of providing water service to users has increased dramatically since the storm. The need for funding is always an issue but even more so now. We need to strengthen our systems against disasters, and the EPA funding has given us that opportunity. The Town of Burnsville is very grateful.”
“The Town of Old Forts water system was destroyed by Hurricane Helene,” said Town of Old Forts Mayor Pam Snypes. “Fortunately, our citizens were provided water as quickly as possible, but it was provided with Band-aid repairs. Over the last ten months the town has been working to make those repairs more efficient. Repairs are very expensive. The availability of these funds will provide a way to ensure going forward that out water system will be a stable system in the event another disaster occurs.”
“When a natural disaster strikes, local communities need a public water system they can count on,” said EPA Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber. “These funds will help local governments create resilient systems that can better withstand floods, fires and other weather events so the water keeps flowing.”
