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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) wrote a letter to the editor in the Advocate highlighting funding opportunities in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve water systems across Louisiana. “Louisiana is set to receive $500 million for its Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs from IIJA over the next five years. These funds provide low-interest financing for water systems and community projects to accelerate water infrastructure improvements. This is good news,” wrote Dr. Cassidy. Cassidy announced the first installment of the $500 million in late 2021. Similar amounts are expected to be delivered over the next four years, totaling nearly half a billion dollars. “These funds will be instrumental for many of the water systems that did not meet muster. Improved water, sewer and drainage will revitalize communities. They will create better places for families to live and long-term economic growth across Louisiana. And most importantly, they will give families peace of mind when they turn on the tap,” continued Dr. Cassidy. Click here to read the full letter to the editor or read below. Infrastructure Law Will Help Solve State’s Water Woes When you hear the word infrastructure, many think of roads and bridges and highways. But it’s so much more than that. Infrastructure extends to water systems, waterways, coastal resiliency and broadband. Since its passage in November 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has already delivered $4 billion in funding for Louisiana, with billions more to come. When the law first passed, some said Louisiana was going to come out with the short end of the stick, but the reality is that we come out ahead. We’re punching way above our weight and getting more than our fair share because of Louisiana’s seat at the table. Given a recent article in this paper on failing water systems that serve nearly half a million Louisiana residents, let’s take a look at how the infrastructure law was built to address these challenges. According to the Louisiana Department of Health’s new grading system, 64 community water systems received F grades and 66 systems earned D grades. This doesn’t mean the water is unsafe, but rather that these systems will eventually just stop working. It’s also important to note that 81% of water systems serving 3.9 million Louisianans earned A or B grades. Louisiana is set to receive $500 million for its Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs from IIJA over the next five years. These funds provide low-interest financing for water systems and community projects to accelerate water infrastructure improvements. This is good news. These funds will be instrumental for many of the water systems that did not meet muster. Improved water, sewer and drainage will revitalize communities. They will create better places for families to live and long-term economic growth across Louisiana. And most importantly, they will give families peace of mind when they turn on the tap. ### |