The EPA has given UNC $500,000 to assist communities addressing water infrastructure challenges.

UNC will partner with the University of New Mexico to jointly manage the WaterCARE project, which will help 10 communities across the country develop finance strategies for long-term water infrastructure support.

“Communities depend on adequate drinking water and wastewater services to survive and thrive, and the EPA is committed to providing financial guidance to help them invest in the necessary water infrastructure,” said EPA administrator Gina McCarthy.

The communities selected to receive WaterCARE assistance are: Buchanan County, Virginia; the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe, Montana; Gatesville, Texas; Haines Borough, Alaska; the Hoopa Valley Tribe, California; Johnston, Iowa; Lawrence, Massachusetts; Selma, Alabama; the Township of South Orange Village, New Jersey; and Youngstown, Ohio.

UNC and its partners will meet one-on-one with each community to collaborate and develop a financial strategy to help the communities meet their goals regarding clean water.

The issue of clean drinking water has come into the spotlight after Flint, Michigan changed it’s drinking water supply in 2014.

The corrosive water from the Flint River has caused lead to leach from the pipes carrying the water, causing a major public health concern.

“The need for resilient and sustainable infrastructure becomes more important as water resources are strained by the impacts of climate change, such as flooding, drought, storms and sea level rise,” McCarthy said.

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