EPA Lax in Tracking Clean Water Loan Program, Watchdog Says

The EPA’s water office hasn’t always made sure its regional offices stick to annual review guidance for its clean water state revolving fund, according to a Thursday report from the agency’s internal fraud fighter.

Without proper oversight, nearly $17 billion in funding for the program “will be more susceptible to fraud, waste, and abuse,” and the success of the revolving fund program may be at risk, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General concluded.

Some of the lapses the watchdog found include regional offices not always answering review checklist questions completely and spotty monitoring by the EPA’s Office of ...