Selma, Alabama to receive funding, technical guidance through EPA WaterCARE program

Selma, Alabama will receive financial and technical guidance in developing its drinking water and wastewater infrastructure from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Water Community Assistance for Resiliency and Excellence (WaterCARE) program.

The city is one of 10 communities around the country to receive a total of $500,000 in funding from the EPA, which will help with activities like financial evaluations and the development of asset management programs, partnership opportunities for further financial assistance and public engagement outreach.

“Communities depend on adequate drinking water and wastewater services to survive and thrive, and EPA is committed to providing financial guidance to help them invest in the necessary water infrastructure,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said. “The need for resilient and sustainable infrastructure becomes more important as water resources are strained by the impacts of climate change, such as flooding, drought, storms, and sea level rise.”

While WaterCARE experts will meet with Selma officials to determine where its funding and technical assistance should be directed, some initial areas in which it could be put to use include determining what technology is needed at the city’s wastewater treatment plant and what capital planning strategies the city can employ to replace its current water infrastructure.