U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-WV, Wednesday announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released more than $1.7 million for the National Small Flows Clearinghouse at West Virginia University (WVU).Of that total, $1.6 million was added by Byrd to an appropriations bill last year.

“By collecting and distributing information on new technologies, the National Small Flows Clearinghouse helps small communities to effectively address their wastewater needs,”Byrd explained.

“Wastewater systems technologies can be very beneficial to small, rural communities, like those in West Virginia.These communities often lack the funds necessary to provide wastewater services using conventional sewer lines.The projects underway at the clearinghouse can help to alleviate that problem,”Byrd stated.

The National Small Flows Clearinghouse provides communities with information about alternative technologies, pollution prevention, state regulations, and wastewater research.The clearinghouse is the only national resource of its type dealing with small community wastewater infrastructure.

“I have seen the problems caused by inadequate sewer systems in many small communities throughout West Virginia.These poor systems can mean health problems for local residents, and stand as a barrier to economic development.This funding will help the clearinghouse in its mission to assist communities that suffer from unsanitary wastewater systems,”Byrd added.

In June, the EPA released $1.2 million that Byrd added to an appropriations bill for a companion initiative WVU s National Onsite and Community Demonstration Projectthat places and tests new wastewater treatment technologies in select, rural communities.