Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Includes Grant Program for Decentralized Systems

After months of negotiations, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) into law on Nov. 15, 2021. While the bill would extend surface transportation programs for five years, additional funding would be authorized for energy, water and broadband infrastructure. Of particular interest to NOWRA members is the inclusion of language that will create the first dedicated EPA grant program for decentralized systems — the Decentralized Wastewater Grant Program. Section 50208 of HR 3684 authorizes $50 million of funding for each of the fiscal years 2022–2026, for a total of $250 million. Eligible households can receive grants up