The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Indian
\nHealth Service will provide $23 million to full fund a new water treatment
\nplant at the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.<\/p>\n
The agencies announced the formal agreement in a news
\nrelease Tuesday, Dec. 20..<\/p>\n
IHS obligated $13,601,000 toward the project and EPA
\nprovided $10,262,000. Nearly all the funding is the result of the Bipartisan
\nInfrastructure Law.<\/p>\n
“The Interagency Agreement between EPA and IHS fully
\nfunds a new, modern plant that will ensure access to clean and safe drinking
\nwater for the 3,800 people in the Warm Springs community,” said EPA Region
\n10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “This is the largest tribal water system
\naward in Region 10 and we’re proud to be a part of such a historic investment
\nin our community.”<\/p>\n
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs’ leadership
\nprioritized work with EPA, IHS, and other federal and state agencies over
\nseveral years to plan the project. The Warm Springs Public Water System
\ncurrently operates an aging water treatment plant that was temporarily shut
\ndown earlier this year due to a fire.<\/p>\n
“I am grateful that our senators, EPA and IHS have all
\nstepped up to tackle the water quality challenge at Warm Springs,” said
\nConfederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation Tribal Council Chairman
\nJonathan Smith. “This is an historic investment that will be deeply
\nappreciated by Warm Springs people for decades to come.”<\/p>\n
“The IHS is very happy and proud to have been able to
\nwork with the CTWS, EPA, and other partners in order to secure funding that
\nwill provide the Tribal community members of the Warm Springs Reservation with
\na long-term and reliable source of safe, clean drinking water.” said IHS
\nArea Director, CAPT Marcus Martinez.<\/p>\n
The new plant will treat water from the Deschutes River
\nusing up-to-date technologies and ensure consistent high quality drinking water
\nstandards. The design phase is expected to begin in 2023.<\/p>\n
“Access to safe and dependable drinking water and
\nsanitation is essential. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are in
\ncritical need of a new water treatment plant for residents\u2019 health and safety,”
\nsaid Senator Jeff Merkley. “I saw first-hand the state of the existing
\nwater treatment facility when I toured it with senior administration and tribal
\nofficials, and I am pleased to see the EPA join IHS to fund a new, modern
\ntreatment plant. Ensuring a reliable supply of clean drinking water is
\nimportant to meeting our trust obligation to the Warm Springs and to protecting
\nthe health of the community.”<\/p>\n
“Water is a human right, and investment in this human
\nright for Tribal communities like the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs has
\nbeen neglected by the federal government for far too long,” said Senator
\nRon Wyden. “These much-needed resources for a water treatment plant will
\nhelp to reverse this shameful injustice for the Warm Springs, and I\u2019ll keep battling
\nuntil this community can count on a dependable and safe water supply.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law presents the largest-ever
\nfunding opportunity for investing in water infrastructure. EPA is committed to
\na productive partnership with tribal governments and other federal agencies to
\nmaximize the impact of these funds in addressing water challenges.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Indian Health Service will provide $23 million to full fund a new water treatment plant at the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. The agencies announced the formal agreement in a news release Tuesday, Dec. 20.. IHS obligated $13,601,000 toward the project and EPA provided $10,262,000. Nearly all the funding […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1820","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-in-the-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n