Florida Signs First Loan Agreement for Water System Resiliency with Helene and Milton Supplemental Disaster Appropriations

Florida Signs First Loan Agreement for Water System Resiliency with Helene and Milton Supplemental Disaster Appropriations

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (June 30, 2026) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has signed a $19 million, 100% principal forgiveness loan agreement with City of Mulberry for water infrastructure resiliency from the State Revolving Fund (SRF) for communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

This is the first loan from the 2025 Supplemental Congressional Appropriation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the Hawai'i Wildfires.

"We are pleased to see these funds used exactly as Congress intended, to support communities as they rebuild more resilient water system infrastructure," said Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber. "We congratulate FDEP for being first in the nation to sign a loan agreement and City of Mulberry for taking this important step toward rebuilding after Hurricane Milton."

During Hurricane Milton, the City of Mulberry experienced flooding, power loss and higher water flows, which impacted operations at their wastewater treatment plant and threatened the integrity of wastewater services to the community. Funds will be used to improve the resilience of the wastewater treatment plant and sewer collection system, including constructing a flood barrier around the wastewater plant, rehabilitating the sewer system to reduce inflow and infiltration, improving lift stations and installing an emergency generator.

BACKGROUND:

Florida received $1.7 billion as part of the 2025 Supplemental Congressional Appropriation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the Hawaii Wildfires allocated under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. The funds may be used to complete SRF-eligible projects that increase resiliency to natural disasters at facilities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the Hawaii wildfires. These include projects to improve drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities, distribution and collection systems and source water supply, among others.

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