Duplin County selected to participate in Closing America's Wastewater Access Gap Initiative
Duplin County is one of 11 communities across the country selected to partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD) to participate in Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Community Initiative.
President Biden’s administration launched a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which provides technical assistance resources aimed at closing the wastewater access gap in rural America. The new initiative will be piloted in selected communities where residents lack basic wastewater management that is essential to protecting their health and the environment.
“Wastewater infrastructure is critical for every individual’s health and safety, and is the backbone of economic development,” said U.S. Senator Thom Tillis. “Some of North Carolina’s wastewater infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, needs improvement. That is why I was proud to help negotiate the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to ensure the package included major funding for North Carolina’s clean water and wastewater management. I’m happy to see the Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Community Initiative come to fruition and applaud the investments in Halifax and Duplin Counties for wastewater infrastructure to improve drainage problems and sewer line connections.”
Duplin County Manager, Davis Brinson said, “This program will provide Duplin County with much needed federal funding opportunities and resources to address our underserved communities. Investing in our wastewater infrastructure is critical to keep Duplin County residents healthy and safe. We are pleased to be a part of this program and we look forward to continuing our efforts to make Duplin County a great place to live, work and conduct business.”
Over 2.2 million people in the United States live with wastewater infrastructure that is ineffective and puts people’s health at risk. Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Community Initiative will be a roadmap to scale up efforts in the rest of the country. EPA and USDA each offer technical assistance that can help communities access funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other government programs.
