EPA Announces $7 Billion in Newly Available WIFIA Funding and Five New WIFIA Loan Approvals

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $6.5 billion in Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding available for water systems, with an additional $550 million available to states. Interested entities can apply for this funding through a rolling application process. The agency is also announcing approval of five new WIFIA loans that will invest in critical water infrastructure projects in Texas, Illinois, Oregon, and Florida. EPA’s WIFIA program provides a powerful financial tool that can significantly accelerate investments in water infrastructure to protect human health and the environment while saving communities millions of dollars.  

“Modernizing and maintaining water infrastructure is essential to ensuring clean and safe water for all Americans and advancing EPA’s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative,” said EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Water Jessica Kramer. “EPA’s WIFIA program provides a win-win for communities and American taxpayers. Communities use these competitive loans to upgrade water infrastructure to benefit residents and businesses while loan payments reimburse the U.S. Treasury.”  

Notices of Funding Availability 

The first WIFIA Notice of Funding Availability was issued by the first Trump administration. EPA’s 2025 funding initiates the 9th round of financing with $6.5 billion available. Through a separate Notice of Funding Availability, $550 million is available to State infrastructure financing authorities through the State WIFIA (SWIFIA) program. EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for both WIFIA and SWIFIA financing. 

For this new round of funding, EPA has identified priority areas that will advance the agency’s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, including: 

• Ensuring safe drinking water and addressing pollution in our nation’s waterbodies; 

• Unleashing American energy dominance; 

• Advancing cooperative federalism by supporting local, regional, and state water priorities; 

• Supporting innovation in the water sector; and 

• Promoting economic growth and furthering America’s industrial resurgence.  

Approved Loans 

EPA is also announcing its approval of five loans that invest in water infrastructure projects that will benefit communities from coast to coast. The following loans have been approved, and EPA will work with the recipients to formally close loan agreements: 

Fort Worth, Texas – A $347 million loan will be used to upgrade wastewater collection and treatment and support beneficial water reuse. A newly designed and built water reclamation facility will meet the needs of a growing population while treating wastewater to be reused for industrial and irrigation purposes. 

Pflugerville, Texas – A $176 million WIFIA loan will support multiple projects modernizing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in this growing city. Work will include design and construction of a new wastewater treatment plant, expansion and consolidation of wastewater collection systems, and water main rehabilitation. This is the second WIFIA loan to the City of Pflugerville 

Joliet, Illinois – An $87 million loan will help transition the city’s drinking water supply from a stressed and unsustainable aquifer. Projects will include upgrading the distribution system to reduce water loss as the city prepares to begin using water from Lake Michigan. This is the third WIFIA loan for the City of Joliet under an agreement that will provide a total of $395 million in financing.  

Ashland, Oregon – A $73 million WIFIA loan will help build a new drinking water treatment plant to provide a safer and more resilient supply of clean drinking water to this small, rural community.  

Wilton Manors, Florida – A $28 million WIFIA loan will reduce the risk of pipeline failures, minimize water loss, and improve system reliability, particularly during emergencies such as storm events. Projects include replacing water mains, rehabilitating and replacing wastewater lift stations and force mains, and improving stormwater drainage systems. 

Background 

Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan program administered by EPA. The WIFIA program aims to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. Through its flexible financing features and competitive interest rates, WIFIA helps communities save money. By partnering the WIFIA program’s federal funding with state, local, and private investment, EPA accelerates water infrastructure investment worth billions of dollars.