Philadelphia water systems 'receive $2 million from EPA'

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted $2 million (£1.3 million) to the state of Philadelphia to assist it in maintaining clean and safe water supplies, it has emerged.

In a bid to protect its water system from intentional contamination and maintain water quality, the EPA has granted the Philadelphia Water Department the funds to pilot a water monitoring scheme.

It also stated that a further $9.5 million could be allocated to the project by 2012.

The EPA's acting administrator for the mid-Atlantic region William Wisniewski, explained: "Philadelphia was selected for this pilot because of its existing water quality protection programs and its commitment to put in place the complex systems needed to increase water security."

Philadelphia's water department operates three drinking water facilities in the area, the Baxter, Belmont and Queen Lane water treatment plants, which between them produce a total of 310 million gallons of water daily.