The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1.3 million to the Hawai’i Department of Health to support implementation of Hawai’i’s Nonpoint Source Management Plan. Nonpoint source pollution is caused by rainfall moving over the ground, leading to runoff which picks up natural and man-made pollutants as it flows. NPS pollution, unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, comes from many different sources.
“Nonpoint source pollution is the major cause of brown water advisories and overall water quality degradation in Hawai’i. These Federal grant funds will be combined with State funding to protect water quality and restore healthy ecosystems in watersheds throughout Hawai’i,” said Kathleen Ho, Deputy Director, Hawai’i Department of Health.
“These grants will do much to advance our shared goal of protecting water resources in Hawai’i,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “Combined with state matching funds, EPA’s awards will help implement the best practices needed to reduce runoff-related pollution and improve water quality.”
Grant funds will support several on-the-ground projects working to reduce NPS pollution and restore water quality in priority watersheds with watershed-based plans. Hawai’i recently completed its annual solicitation seeking proposals for watershed implementation projects. More information on projects Hawai’i has funded is available at the projects viewer. Hawai’i will also use funds to implement the recently approved NPS requirements under Hawai’i Administrative Rules 11-56.
Nonpoint source pollution can impact lakes, rivers, and groundwater. Controlling nonpoint source pollution is especially important due to the harmful effects that the pollutants have on drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries, and wildlife.
These grants are part of EPA’s 2022 Nonpoint Source Implementation Grant Program. Congress enacted Section 319 of the Clean Water Act in 1987 to control nonpoint sources of water pollution. For examples of how EPA Region 9 States have used Clean Water Act Section 319 grant funds to improve water quality visit EPA’s Success Stories about Restoring Water Bodies Impaired by Nonpoint Source Pollution webpage.
For more information on watershed projects, visit EPA’s Nonpoint Source (NPS) Watershed Projects : Interactive Map and Reporting webpage.
For more information on polluted runoff, visit EPA’s Nonpoint Source Pollution webpage.