A state revolving fund (SRF) is a fund administered by a
U.S. state
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sover ...
for the purpose of providing low-interest loans for investments in water and sanitation infrastructure (e.g.,
sewage treatment
Sewage treatment (or domestic wastewater treatment, municipal wastewater treatment) is a type of wastewater treatment which aims to remove contaminants from sewage to produce an effluent that is suitable for discharge to the surrounding envir ...
,
stormwater
Stormwater, also spelled storm water, is water that originates from precipitation (storm), including heavy rain and meltwater from hail and snow. Stormwater can soak into the soil ( infiltrate) and become groundwater, be stored on depressed la ...
management facilities,
drinking water
Drinking water is water that is used in drink or food preparation; potable water is water that is safe to be used as drinking water. The amount of drinking water required to maintain good health varies, and depends on physical activity level, a ...
treatment), as well as for the implementation of
nonpoint source Nonpoint source, or non-point source, or NPS, is a source that does not come from a single point.
* Point source, contrasts with nonpoint source
* Nonpoint source pollution, water pollution
* Nonpoint source water pollution regulations, water pollu ...
pollution control and
estuary
An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. Estuaries form a transition zone between river environments and maritime environment ...
protection projects. An SRF receives its initial capital from federal grants and state contributions. It then emits
bonds that are guaranteed by the initial capital. It then "revolves" through the repayment of principal and the payment of interest on outstanding loans.
Current programs
There are currently two SRFs, the
Clean Water State Revolving Fund The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a self-perpetuating loan assistance authority for water quality improvement projects in the United States. The fund is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency and state agencies. The CWSRF, ...
created in 1987 under the
Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Its objective is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters; recognizing the responsibiliti ...
, and the
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the principal federal law in the United States intended to ensure safe drinking water for the public. Pursuant to the act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to set standards for drinking ...
created in 1997 under the
Safe Drinking Water Act
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the principal federal law in the United States intended to ensure safe drinking water for the public. Pursuant to the act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to set standards for drinking w ...
. Both programs are managed at the federal level by the
Environmental Protection Agency
A biophysical environment is a biotic and abiotic surrounding of an organism or population, and consequently includes the factors that have an influence in their survival, development, and evolution. A biophysical environment can vary in scale f ...
(EPA).
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund background
Prior to the creation of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, EPA evaluated the adequacy of state public water systems during its early implementation of the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act. The agency’s goal was to devolve "primacy" (i.e. oversight of local public water systems) to states that were prepared to accept the responsibility and to use the new funds provided by Congress in EPA’s budget to give states financial support.
[EPA Alumni Association: Senior EPA officials discuss early implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974]
VideoTranscript
(see pages 17-19).
See also
*
Water pollution
Water pollution (or aquatic pollution) is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities, so that it negatively affects its uses. Water bodies include lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers, reservoirs and groundwater. Water ...
*
Water purification
Water purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, biological contaminants, suspended solids, and gases from water. The goal is to produce water that is fit for specific purposes. Most water is purified and disinfected for hu ...
*
Water supply and sanitation in the United States
Water supply and sanitation in the United States involves a number of issues including water scarcity, pollution, a backlog of investment, concerns about the affordability of water for the poorest, and a rapidly retiring workforce. Increased var ...
References
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External links
Clean Water State Revolving Fund- EPA
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund- EPA
Further reading
EPA Alumni Association: Drinking Water, Half Century of Progress– a brief history of U.S. efforts to protect drinking water
Federal assistance in the United States
Water supply and sanitation in the United States