EPA Invests in Making America Healthy Again with Announcement of Nearly $1.5 Million to Improve Drinking Water in Region 7

June 26, 2026

LENEXA, KAN. (JUNE 26, 2026) - Today, U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing nearly $1.5 million in grant funding to improve drinking water infrastructure in Region 7. These grants will help Make America Healthy Again by providing communities with needed resources to make critical drinking water infrastructure upgrades, combat Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), remove sources of lead, and address specific local drinking water challenges.

"Reliable access to clean, safe drinking water is essential for American communities to thrive and a top priority for the Trump EPA," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, Jess Kramer. "Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American is Pillar 1 of Administrator Zeldin's 'Powering the Great American Comeback' Initiative. Small and rural water systems often face disproportionate challenges when it comes to drinking water, and these grants will help them access needed resources to make important water infrastructure investments that will protect Americans from the dangers of PFAS and other harmful contaminants."

"Across the Heartland, these grants will help small and rural systems remove sources of lead, address PFAS, and modernize aging infrastructure so families can trust the tap," said EPA Region 7 Chief of Staff Julie Linck. "This is partnership in action: EPA delivers the resources and technical support; states target the investments; and communities see real Safe Drinking Water Act results."

Approximately $25 million is available nationwide through the Small, Rural, and Tribal (SmaRT) Drinking Water Assistance Program. This grant program was established under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act to help water systems provide clean, safe drinking water. The funding is available to states and territories, who are responsible for administering the grant funds and ensuring that the funds efficiently and effectively reach communities that need assistance with local water infrastructure upgrades or Safe Drinking Water Act compliance.

More information on this grant program and this year's allotments can be found on the SmaRT website. Tribal allotments for this program will be released separately.

Background

The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Actestablishes the SmaRT grant program - formerly known as Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities (SUDC) - to award funding to states, territories, and tribes to assist public water systems in meeting Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements.

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