EPA Awards $2.9 Million for Water Projects in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $2,930,700 to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This new infusion of money provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will help the state and local governments finance many of the overdue improvements to water projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment across the state.

"This remarkable opportunity to provide much-needed support for sustainable water and energy-efficient drinking water and wastewater systems throughout the U.S. is unprecedented," said Laura Yoshii, acting regional administrator for the EPA in the Pacific Southwest. "This funding will allow CNMI to address its highest water infrastructure priorities, protect human health and surface water quality, address climate change and create critical green jobs as a foundation for a sustainable future."

CNMI will receive $1,101,700 for its wastewater construction program for the Sadog Tasi Wastewater Treatment Plant to enhance the management of wastewater, significantly reducing energy usage and operation and maintenance costs. CNMI also will receive $1,829,000 to improve its drinking water system.