RALEIGH, N.C. (WLOS) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Monday that it allocated over $400 million to improve public water systems within North Carolina.
In a press release, the EPA said it provided a total of $409.4 million to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to “improve local drinking water utility infrastructure so their systems can better withstand natural disasters.”
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“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,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin via the release.
This funding is part of the 2025 Supplemental Appropriation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the Hawaii Wildfires, which is designated for various improvements such as water distribution, drinking water treatment and water supply source enhancement, per the release.
“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,” Senator Thom Tillis said via the release. “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.”