WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Action Plan and announced nearly $2 million in research grant funding to accelerate innovative and alternative wastewater treatment technologies in lagoon and pond systems serving small communities. Through research grants and the first ever Action Plan, EPA is providing equitable, accessible, and coordinated technical and financial programs, resources, and assistance that will help improve public health and clean waterway protections for rural, small, and Tribal communities that rely on lagoon wastewater treatment systems.
"Many small and rural communities in the United States rely on a wastewater treatment process that falls short of environmental and public health protection," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. "The Lagoon Action Plan will help communities with lagoon systems ensure their local water quality isn't impacted by improper wastewater management."