RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – An Associated Press review shows that more than $14 million is sitting unspent in the state’s federal assistance fund for infrastructure improvements.
That’s despite nearly $7 billion in drinking water infrastructure needs in the state over the next two decades.
Virginia officials say a lag in spending is inevitable because projects must meet stringent state and federal requirements before they can receive loans and grants from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
At the same time, the state says that fewer cash-strapped water systems are applying for the program because they can’t afford to take on any new debt.
(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
