Mad Money for Improvement Projects?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced nearly $300 million worth of funding last week specifically earmarked for water quality and water infrastructure improvement projects in California and, if all goes according to plan, more than $30 million of that will be coming to Santa Barbara via low-interest loans. Long on a city wish list for funding, the three projects that will be helped toward fruition thanks to the federal dough include upgrading Cater Water Treatment Plant to help meet state regulatory compliance standards, replacing filter equipment El Estero Wastewater treatment plant, and improving energy cogeneration efforts at the same location.