EPA and IHS provides more than 23 million dollars
A formal agreement between the Indian Health Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides more than $23 million for the construction of a new water treatment facility at the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.
EPA contributed $10,262,000 and IHS committed $13,601,000 to the project. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is responsible for almost all of the funding.
According to EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller, “The Interagency Agreement between EPA and IHS fully supports a new, modern plant that will provide access to clean and safe drinking water for the 3,800 residents in the Warm Springs community.” We are honored to have contributed to such a significant investment in our community because this is the largest tribal water system award in Region 10.
Collaboration between EPA and IHS
Over several years, the leadership of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs gave priority to planning the project in collaboration with the EPA, IHS, and other federal and state authorities.
Currently, an outdated water treatment facility that was briefly shut down earlier this year due to a fire is run by the Warm Springs Public Water System.
“I am grateful that our senators, EPA and IHS have all stepped up to tackle the water quality challenge at Warm Springs.” said Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation Tribal Council Chairman Jonathan Smith. “This is an historic investment that will be deeply appreciated by Warm Springs people for decades to come.”
“The IHS is very pleased and glad to have been able to work with the CTWS, EPA, and other partners to secure funding that will give the Tribal community members of the Warm Springs Reservation a long-term and dependable source of safe, clean drinking water,” said the organization. said CAPT Marcus Martinez, area director for IHS.
EPA cares about safe drinking water with high quality
The new facility will use cutting-edge technology to purify water from the Deschutes River and maintain high standards for drinking water. Beginning in 2023 is anticipated to be the design phase.
“It is crucial to have access to reliable and safe drinking water and sanitary facilities. For the health and safety of its citizens, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs urgently require a new water treatment facility, according to Senator Jeff Merkley. “When I toured the current water treatment facility with senior administration and tribe representatives, I was shocked by the condition of the facility.
I am happy that the EPA is partnering with IHS to fund a new, cutting-edge treatment plant. In order to fulfill our trust commitment to the Warm Springs and to safeguard the community’s health, it is crucial to guarantee a steady supply of pure drinking water, said Senator Jeff Merkley.
Senator Ron Wyden stated that “water is a human right” and that “the federal government has neglected this human right for far too long for Tribal communities like the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.” I’ll continue to fight until our town can depend on a reliable and clean water supply. “These much-needed resources for a water treatment plant will assist to reverse this horrible injustice for the Warm Springs.”
Source: U.S EPA
