EPA announces additional $9.6 million for beach water monitoring, notifications

EPA officials announced Monday the agency will award $9.6 million in grants to states, tribes and territories to monitor beach water for bacteria.

The funds will also be used to develop programs to notify both the agency and the public about water quality, officials said. Four tribes will collaborate with the EPA in carrying out the programs: the Swinomish, Makah, the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, each of which are set to receive $50,000.

“Strong partnerships are essential to protecting public health and the environment,” EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox said in a statement. “With this funding, EPA’s partners can improve water quality monitoring efforts to better protect health and wellness.”