Description: The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has dominated headlines this spring, with its promise to bring unprecedented levels of funding to upgrade the nation’s infrastructure – including water and wastewater systems. In Maryland, water system operators may be wondering what opportunities are in store, and how to access funds to implement infrastructure projects in their communities.

This webinar was designed to share insight on the Infrastructure Act’s importance for small systems in Maryland, and to provide information on the Maryland State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) program and how it can help small systems achieve their goals. The discussion focused on the SRF’s role in helping Maryland communities develop and implement capital improvement plans, promote infrastructure affordability, prompt community revitalization, and coordinate with neighbors on water infrastructure planning and financing. The session also featured a case story from the small town of Westernport, MD, which has successfully upgraded its water and wastewater infrastructure with assistance from MWQFA and other funding partners.

Resource Links:

• US EPA BIL Water Infrastructure Investment information
• Maryland Water Quality Financing Administration funding and contact information
• Water Infrastructure Funding: What the Federal Infrastructure Act Means for Small Systems in Maryland, Jennifer Cotting, Presentation Slides
• MWQFA Update on Funding Programs and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Implementation, Michael Roberts, Presentation Slides
• Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: EPA’s State Revolving Funds, Alison Souders, Presentation Slides

Presenter Contact Information:

• Jennifer Cotting, Director, University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center: jcotting@umd.edu
• Alison Souders, Financial Analyst, US EPA Office of Wastewater Management: souders.alison@epa.gov
• Michael Roberts, Deputy Director, Maryland Water Quality Financing Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment: michael.roberts@maryland.gov
• Laura Freeman-Legge, Mayor, Town of Westernport, MD and Circuit Rider, Maryland Rural Development Corporation: LLegge@MRDC.net

Who Should Attend:

• Managers, owners, operators, and decision-makers for small drinking water and wastewater systems in Maryland serving less than 10,000 people, including local government systems and tribal systems, as well as all other types of water systems, such as: homeowners associations, mobile home parks, resorts/campgrounds, prisons, and schools.

Certificate: Certificates of participation can be provided upon request if an attendee wishes to retain a record of their own attendance.

Partners: