The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded more than $23.3 million to the state of Hawaii to support water infrastructure projects that help protect surface water and provide safe drinking water to communities.

The $23.3 million in state revolving funds will go to the Hawaii Department of Health, which is responsible for ensuring that wastewater and water systems are in compliance with federal and state clean water and drinking water requirements.

“EPA is delivering on its commitment to modernize water infrastructure and improve public health and environmental protections in the Pacific Southwest,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator John Busterud in a news release. “EPA’s $346.8 million contribution to the State Revolving Funds in the region will enable more communities to make the investments needed to ensure safe drinking water and sanitation.”

The funding was finalized last month following delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Out of the $23.3 million total in federal grant funding, a total of $12.3 million was allotted to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and $11 million to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

This funding is available for a wide range of water infrastructure projects, including modernizing aging wastewater infrastructure, implementing water reuse and recycling and addressing stormwater, as well as for loans that help drinking water systems install treatment for contaminants, among other improvements..