Empowering Communities with the EPA’s Wastewater Access Gap Program

The International Code Council has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to advance initiatives aimed at addressing decentralized wastewater issues.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2 billion people worldwide lack access to safely managed drinking water services, while 4.2 billion people lack access to safely managed sanitation services. These statistics highlight the urgent need for collaborative action, and through combined efforts, the Code Council and EPA will work to strengthen sustainable solutions to combat the water crisis.

Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Program

As part of the MOU, the Code Council will help bolster the EPA’s Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap Program, which aims to address the disparity in wastewater infrastructure across the U.S. – particularly in underserved communities.

Originally launched as a pilot program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the program partners with EPA contractors and/or local technical assistance providers to help underserved communities access federal wastewater infrastructure funding. By prioritizing equal distribution of resources and infrastructure upgrades, the program strives to narrow the gap in wastewater services and promote public health and environmental sustainability nationwide.

Key aspects of the program include:

• Conducting an assessment of the community’s wastewater needs
• Evaluating the feasibility of wastewater solutions, including performing a rate study
• Identifying funding options, such as grants and financing
• Helping with completing the preliminary engineering and paperwork requirements for funding applications
• Assisting community/county with establishing an ordinance for wastewater management

The pilot program has been assisting 11 communities since 2022 and will now serve an additional 150 communities. This program, supported by historic funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will advance environmental justice and help Americans access the wastewater infrastructure they need to thrive.

To learn more about the program and to check qualification requirements, click here.