Funding made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, championed by Senators Reverend Warnock and Ossoff for its investments in Georgia
Federal funds will be made available for rural and disadvantaged communities across Georgia to invest in clean drinking water through PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems
Investment in Georgia is part of larger $1 billion nationwide announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency
ICYMI from Atlanta News First: New study: Half the nation’s tap water laced with a ‘Forever Chemical’
Senator Reverend Warnock: “The health of Georgia’s communities is tied to the health of our environment”
Senator Ossoff: “Senator Warnock and I are delivering water infrastructure upgrades to remove PFAs and dangerous chemicals from our drinking water and keep our families safe and healthy”
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) announced $25 million in federal funding will be made available for rural and disadvantaged communities across Georgia to invest in clean drinking water through PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems. PFAS “forever chemicals” can be present in drinking water or wastewater and contribute to a variety of harmful health impacts, including developmental challenges in children and increased risk of cancer.
“The health of Georgia’s communities is tied to the health of our environment, which is why Senator Ossoff and I were thrilled to champion the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make these latest investments for Georgia possible,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “As a pastor and public servant, I believe we are called to be good stewards of our Earthly home and its resources. By investing in clean water and infrastructure upgrades, we are investing in healthy and thriving communities across Georgia.”
“Senator Warnock and I are delivering water infrastructure upgrades to remove PFAS and dangerous chemicals from our drinking water and keep our families safe and healthy,” said Senator Ossoff. “Our bipartisan infrastructure law will deliver long-overdue upgrades to Georgia’s infrastructure for years to come.”
The funding was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, championed by both of Georgia’s U.S. Senators for its investments in Georgia, and will be administered through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant (EC-SDC) program. The Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities grant program provides states and territories with grants to upgrade public water systems in small or disadvantaged communities to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS.
Funding will help implement PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems, and help owners of private wells address contamination. This is part of a $9 billion investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to aid communities with drinking water impacted by PFAS and other emerging contaminants–the largest-ever investment in tackling PFAS pollution. An additional $12 billion is available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for general drinking water improvements, including addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS.
Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has invested over $20 billion into water infrastructure projects across the country–with over $140 million coming to Georgia to date–protecting public health, preserving water resources, and creating jobs. In February 2024, Senators Warnock and Ossoff announced $125 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding would be made available for Georgia to invest in clean drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure upgrades. In September 2022, Senator Warnock joined a bipartisan effort urging the Department of Defense (DoD) to implement increased funding for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) testing and remediation for servicemembers exposed at our nation’s military installations.
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