EPA Recognizes Excellence and Innovation in Alabama Water Infrastructure Project

EPA Recognizes Excellence and Innovation in Alabama Water Infrastructure Project 

EUTAW, Alabama (April 8, 2026) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Jessica Kramer recently recognized 48 water infrastructure projects for excellence and innovation, including one in Eutaw, Alabama. These projects, financed in part by state revolving fund (SRF) programs, demonstrate the importance of water infrastructure for supporting healthy Americans and laying a foundation for economic prosperity.   

"Across the country, states are putting State Revolving Fund resources to work in ways that deliver real, lasting benefits for communities by modernizing aging systems, strengthening resilience, and ensuring families can rely on safe, clean water every day," said Kramer. "These projects show that when we pair federal investment with state leadership, we can protect human health, support local economies, and reach communities that have too often been left behind."

"The awards in the Southeast region prove that smaller communities can execute big ideas when it comes to improving water infrastructure," said EPA Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber. "I am thrilled to see communities utilizing the CWSRF and the DWSRF programs to strengthen their water utilities for the protection of human health and the environment."  

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs have provided a foundation of federal investment in water infrastructure for decades. The SRF programs directly support EPA's Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, which emphasizes the need for clean air, land and water for every American and the importance of cooperative federalism.  

EPA's George F. Ames PISCES program celebrates innovation demonstrated by wastewater and stormwater projects financed by CWSRF programs. Twenty-six projects carried out by state or local governments, public utilities, and private entities were recognized by the 2026 PISCES program, including an honorable mention for the Town of Eutaw, Alabama.

In partnership with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), the Town of Eutaw pursued a regional solution with the nearby Town of Boligee, assuming ownership and operation of Boligee'ssanitary sewer collection system, which was at risk of failure, and securing finance to upgrade both town's systems. This joint effort allowed both communities to move forward with critical infrastructure upgrades that protect residents from the risk of raw sewage exposure.

The 2022 Wastewater Restoration Project had a total cost of $4,584,638, all of which came from the CWSRF.

See the full lists of recognized projects and learn more about the  AQUARIUSand PISCESprograms.

BACKGROUND

The SRF programs are EPA-state partnerships that provide communities with low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality and drinking water infrastructure projects. The SRFs have provided over $265 billion in financial assistance to more than 50,000 water quality infrastructure projects and 76,000 drinking water projects across the country.