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EPA Invites Projects in California, Arizona to Apply for WIFIA Water Infrastructure Loans

November 6, 2018 / Lee Ann Rush / 0 Comments

Loans will help make critical investments in communities to improve water quality for 22 million Americans

LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting 12 projects in California and one project in Arizona to apply for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans. A total of 39 projects have been invited to apply nationwide.

“Through WIFIA, EPA is playing an integral role in President Trump’s efforts to improve and upgrade our nation’s water infrastructure and ensure all Americans have access to clean and safe water,” said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “This year, EPA will help finance over $10 billion in water infrastructure investments that will create up to 155,000 jobs, upgrade aging infrastructure, reduce lead exposure, and improve the lives of millions of Americans across the country.”

EPA’s WIFIA loans will allow large and small communities across the country to implement projects to address two national water priorities – providing for clean and safe drinking water, including reducing exposure to lead and other contaminants, and addressing aging water infrastructure.

EPA received 62 letters of interest from both public and private entities in response to the 2018 WIFIA Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). After a robust, statutorily required review process, the WIFIA Selection Committee chose the following 13 prospective borrowers’ projects to submit applications for loans in EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region:

City of Phoenix; Water Main Replacement Program; $49 million (Arizona)
San Mateo-Foster City Public Financing Authority; San Mateo Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade and Expansion Project; $277 million (California)
Coachella Valley Water District; Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel Improvement Project; $22 million (California)
Poseidon Resources (Channelside) LP; Carlsbad Intake Project; $32 million (California)
City of Stockton Public Financing Authority; Regional Wastewater Control Facility Modifications Project; $53 million (California)
Silicon Valley Clean Water; SVCW RESCU; $181 million (California)
City of Sunnyvale; Sunnyvale Cleanwater Program Phase 2; $166 million (California)
San Juan Water District; Hinkle and Kokila Reservoir Rehabilitation and Replacement; $12 million (California)
City of Los Angeles; Donald C. Tillman Advanced Water Purification Facility; $185 million (California)
Inland Empire Utilities Agency; RP-5 Expansion Project; $138 million (California)
Sanitation District No. 2 of Los Angeles County; Joint Water Pollution Control Plant Effluent Outfall Tunnel; $426 million (California)
City of Antioch; Brackish Water Desalination Project; $32 million (California)
Coachella Valley Water District; North Indio Regional Flood Control Project; $29 million (California)

Background
Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program at EPA that 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. EPA’s WIFIA loans will allow large and small communities across the country to implement projects to address two national water priorities – providing for clean and safe drinking water including reducing exposure to lead and other contaminants and addressing aging water infrastructure.

To date, EPA has issued four loans totaling over $1 billion in WIFIA credit assistance. Combined, these four projects will create over 5,000 jobs.

According to EPA's estimate of national drinking water and wastewater needs, over $743 billion is needed for water infrastructure improvements. EPA’s WIFIA program plays an important part in fulfilling this need and in the President’s Infrastructure Plan, which calls for expanding project eligibility.

To learn more about the 39 projects that are invited to apply and about EPA’s WIFIA program, visit https://www.epa.gov/wifia/wifia-selected-projects.

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

Firm Settles Violations with EPA; Provides Equipment to Maricopa County Clinics to Identify Children Exposed to Lead

October 26, 2018 / Lee Ann Rush / 0 Comments

SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with True View Windows & Glass Block, Inc. for violations of the federal Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. The agreement requires True View, which operates in Arizona and Colorado, to pay a $15,060 penalty and spend $14,940 on blood lead analyzers and test kits for six Maricopa County, Arizona. health clinics.

“Exposure to lead-based paint is one of the most common ways children develop lead poisoning,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “This settlement will support local clinics in identifying and assisting children with elevated levels of lead in their blood and help prevent future exposure to lead-based paint.”

An EPA inspection found True View, a window and glass installer, performed work in Phoenix without required EPA certification. The company also failed to comply with resident notification requirements, post signs communicating the risks of lead-containing dust, or maintain records of lead-safe work practices.

Reducing childhood lead exposure and addressing associated health impacts is a top priority for EPA. Each year, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week increases public awareness and serves as a reminder that children are uniquely vulnerable to the potential health effects of lead exposure. Lead exposure can cause a range of adverse health effects and is particularly dangerous for young children because their nervous systems are still developing. In 1978, the federal government banned consumer uses of lead-based paint, but it is still present in millions of older homes, sometimes under layers of new paint.

The Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule was created to protect the public (especially children under 6) from lead-based paint hazards that occur during repair or remodeling activities in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978. The rule requires individuals performing renovations be properly trained, certified and follow lead-safe work practices.

Learn ways reduce lead exposure in children: https://www.epa.gov/children/protecting-children-lead-exposures
Learn about the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule and program: https://www.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-and-painting-program
Learn about certification and training requirements for renovation firms: https://www.epa.gov/lead/renovation-repair-and-painting-program-contractors
Report a lead paint violation: https://www.epa.gov/lead/pacific-southwest-lead-based-paint-tips-complaints

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

U.S. EPA Awards Nogales-Based Nonprofit $120,000 to Help Communities Address Environmental, Public Health Risks

October 6, 2018 / Lee Ann Rush / 0 Comments

SAN FRANCISCO – On 10/04/2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Nogales, Arizona-based Southeast Arizona Area Health Education Center Inc. (SEAHEC) was awarded $120,000 to address drinking water and other public health challenges in a rural border-area community.

The funding is provided through EPA's Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) program, which supports local organizations that develop community-driven solutions to address environmental and public health disparities in minority, low-income, tribal and indigenous communities. This year, EPA awarded $1.2 million to ten organizations around the country.

Funds from this grant will provide support for Winchester Heights in Cochise County, an unincorporated community where residents have been working with SEAHEC to improve public health. The project will support the newly established community center, assess drinking water quality and establish a Community Action Committee. The University of Arizona will provide two public health interns and a bilingual project coordinator to support the project.

“These funds will provide hands-on, in-home assistance to assess drinking water in rural Winchester Heights,” said Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker, who is in Nogales this week meeting local officials and visiting border infrastructure sites. “These visits can help reduce drinking-water related illnesses by addressing faulty pipes or installing simple disinfectant water filters.”

Nationally, projects selected this year reflect an emphasis on support for rural communities and watershed protection. The 2018 awards provide up to $120,000 per project for a two-year period. Special consideration was given to projects located in rural areas, with the goal of increasing outreach and capacity building in areas where such resources can be scarce. Eight of the ten total projects awarded are in rural areas.

The 10 community projects were selected from 72 applications. For more information about today’s award winners, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-collaborative-problem-solving-cooperative-agreement-3

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

U.S. EPA Awards $429,000 to Diné College for Abandoned Uranium Mine Studies

September 10, 2018 / Lee Ann Rush / 0 Comments

SAN FRANCISCO– Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $429,467 grant award to Diné College to study potential impacts of abandoned uranium mines on livestock in the Cove area of northeastern Arizona. Diné College will partner with Northern Arizona University (NAU) and the University of New Mexico (UNM) on the study and risk assessment.

Students and professors from the three schools will assist EPA scientists with sampling for heavy metals and radionuclides in livestock, including cattle, horses and sheep. Since 2016, EPA has awarded Diné College $809,481 for various studies related to radiological risk and ecological health, including a 2017 assessment of regional watersheds.

“Our continued partnership with Diné College helps train future engineers and scientists as they investigate the legacy of uranium mining and help us evaluate the ecological health in the Cove area,” said Mike Stoker, Regional Administrator for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest office.

“Diné College is delighted to receive this grant. This culturally sensitive study will provide an informed risk analysis for that can serve as a model in radiological risk and ecological health in areas impacted by uranium mining,” said Perry H. Charley, Director and Senior Scientist at Diné College’s Environmental Outreach and Research Institute. “Diné students and staff will work with University partners and US EPA scientists in conducting this important work.”

“The Northern Arizona University research team is honored to be a part of the Cove livestock study. Our past work on investigating uranium accumulation in sheep that graze on or near abandoned uranium mines in the southwestern region of the Navajo Nation will make a great comparison to the livestock grazing in the Cove area,” said Dr. Jani Ingram, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemisrty at Northern Arizona University. “The research will be a major part of our Native American graduate students’ dissertation research. Many of them are Diné and their livestock are affected.”

“Researchers and students at the University of New Mexico are excited and honored to collaborate on this study. Our partnership with Diné College, Northern Arizona University, US EPA, and people impacted by uranium mining will enable UNM researchers and students to address community concerns,” said Dr. Joseph Hoover, Research Assistant Professor at University of New Mexico’s Community Environmental Health Program.

Funding for these studies comes from a settlement between the federal government and Tronox/Anadarko Corp., successors to Kerr-McGee Corp. The company agreed to pay approximately $1 billion to clean up approximately 50 abandoned uranium mines where radioactive waste remains from former mining operations. About half of these mines are in the Cove area. The results of these studies will help in the development of future cleanup plans.

During the Cold War, 30 million tons of uranium ore were mined on or adjacent to the Navajo Nation, leaving more than 500 abandoned mines. Since 2008, EPA has awarded over $11 million in grants to the Navajo Nation to address uranium contamination, conducted preliminary investigations at all the mines, remediated over 50 contaminated structures, provided safe drinking water to 3,809 families in partnership with the Indian Health Service and performed cleanup or stabilization work at nine mines.

In total, EPA has reached enforcement agreements and settlements valued at $1.7 billion to reduce the highest risks of radiation exposure to the Navajo people from abandoned uranium mines. As a result, funding is now available to assess and clean up 219 of the 523 abandoned uranium mines on and around the Navajo Nation. Cleanup of the abandoned uranium mines is a closely coordinated effort between EPA, the Navajo Nation and other federal agencies.

For a copy of the Cove Wash Watershed Assessment, please visit: https://epa.gov/navajo-nation-uranium-cleanup/cove-mines-technical-reports

For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/navajo-nation-uranium-cleanup/cove-arizona-mines-cleanup

Global Water Resources Named Finalist in 2018 Environmental Excellence Awards by Arizona Forward

September 4, 2018 / Lee Ann Rush / 0 Comments

PHOENIX - Global Water Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ: GWRS), (TSX: GWR), a pure-play water resource management company, has been named a finalist in Arizona Forward’s 38^th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards in the category of industrial and public works.

Finalists in the category preserve or enhance natural resources and the environment, integrate with the natural and man-made environment, and contribute to environmental awareness, education, or cultural and aesthetic appreciation. The winners will be announced on October 6, 2018 at an annual event that is expected to attract upwards of 600 community leaders and dignitaries from throughout Arizona.

Global Water was nominated for its effective implementation of Total Water Management (TWM). TWM is an integrated approach to managing the entire water cycle by owning and operating water, wastewater and recycled water utilities within the same geographic area to maximize the beneficial use of recycled water. TWM conserves water by using the right water for the right use and helps protect water supplies in water scarce areas experiencing population growth.

Global Water implemented TWM in the City of Maricopa service area, where it has partnered with local subdivisions and the University of Arizona to reuse over 97% of the city’s wastewater. This allowed Global Water to reduce groundwater withdrawals by 900 million gallons during the same period, which is equivalent to a 27% reduction in groundwater demand.

“This nomination reflects the importance of industry leading and innovative water management in the arid Southwest,” noted Global Water CEO Ron Fleming. “As we advance our mission of achieving efficient growth and consolidation, we believe that by applying our TWM approach to our regional service areas and the utilities we acquire, we will deliver great benefits to all stakeholders including the preservation of water supplies for generations to come.”

About Arizona Forward
Arizona Forward was founded as Valley Forward in 1969, one year before the first Earth Day. It expanded statewide in 2013. Arizona Forward mobilizes business leaders and policymakers to leverage their collective power to influence how Arizona best grows its communities, stimulate its economy and enhance its environment.

Arizona Forward’s diverse membership of large corporations and small businesses, along with municipal, county and state agencies, educational institutions, related nonprofits and concerned citizens help ensure: smart growth and development, efficient transportation, improved air quality, responsible water management, energy alternatives and meaningful education. For more information, visit www.arizonaforward.org.

About Global Water Resources
Global Water Resources, Inc. is a leading water resource management company that owns and operates 10 utility companies which provide water, wastewater, and recycled water services. The company’s service areas are located primarily in growth corridors around metropolitan Phoenix. Global Water recycles nearly 1 billion gallons of water annually. To learn more, visit www.gwresources.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain forward-looking statements which reflect the company's expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements involve a number of assumptions, risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning, future net income growth, our strategy, acquisition plans, our dividend policy, trends relating to population growth, active connections, regulated revenue, housing permit projections, expected effect due to tax reform, and other statements that are not historical facts as well as statements identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "seeks", "estimates", or the negative of these terms, or other words of similar meaning. These statements are based on our current beliefs or expectations and are inherently subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in political, economic, business, market, regulatory, and other factors. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s views as of the date hereof. Factors that may affect future results are disclosed under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which are available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. This includes, but is not limited to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 which were filed with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Company Contact:
Michael J. Liebman
SVP and CFO
Tel (480) 999-5104
mike.liebman@gwresources.com

Investor Relations:
Ron Both, CMA
Tel (949) 432-7566
GWRS@cma.team

Tag: Arizona

EPA Invites Projects in California, Arizona to Apply for WIFIA Water Infrastructure Loans

Loans will help make critical investments in communities to improve water quality for 22 million Americans

Firm Settles Violations with EPA; Provides Equipment to Maricopa County Clinics to Identify Children Exposed to Lead

U.S. EPA Awards Nogales-Based Nonprofit $120,000 to Help Communities Address Environmental, Public Health Risks

U.S. EPA Awards $429,000 to Diné College for Abandoned Uranium Mine Studies

“Our continued partnership with Diné College helps train future engineers and scientists as they investigate the legacy of uranium mining and help us evaluate the ecological health in the Cove area,” said Mike Stoker, Regional Administrator for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest office.

Global Water Resources Named Finalist in 2018 Environmental Excellence Awards by Arizona Forward

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