The Environmental Protection Agency's Water Pollution Control Construction Grants Program

Since it was initiated in 1956, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Water Pollution Control Construction Grants Program has been expanded by removing the dollar ceiling and increasing the federal share of project costs. Congress appropriated almost $25 billion between 1970 and 1978 and authorized another $20 billion through 1982 for the program. Advanced waste treatment facilities frequently are not well justified and may not substantially improve water quality. In spite of this, the EPA 1977 data showed that 565 advanced waste treatment projects were under construction at a cost of $2.7 billion. The following problem areas require attention: projects are being constructed with little or no on-site inspections; comprehensive planning has not been accomplished; nonpoint sources of pollution, such as runoff from agricultural and forest lands, are now more of a problem than industrial and municipal point sources; little is known about the extent of toxic chemical spills and discharges; treatment plants are being constructed where they are not needed; low-income families are finding it difficult to pay user charges and other fees; administrative and financial controls over construction grant funds need strengthening; and operation and maintenance problems have decreased the effectiveness of complete plants.