EPA and FEMA Sign MOU to Support Rapid Recovery and Restoration of Water Infrastructure after Disasters

EPA and FEMA have announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve coordination between FEMA and the EPA-funded State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs. The MOU is intended to give water and wastewater utilities faster access to funding to restore their infrastructure in times of disaster. Normally, communities have to pay out of pocket and wait to receive a reimbursement through a FEMA grant for eligible expenses or wait for an emergency supplemental appropriation for disaster relief and recovery from Congress. By securing a loan through this MOU early on after a disaster, a community would not need to expend its own funds first. “This first-of-its-kind MOU with FEMA will give disaster-stricken communities expedited access to federal funds that will aid in their rebuilding process by helping to restore vital infrastructure and water services in times of disaster,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.  “Disasters are locally executed, state managed, and federally supported, so we are pleased to work with EPA to provide local communities with additional resources to help them in their times of need,” said Acting FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor. Read the press release at EPA.