COLUMBUS, Ohio - Efforts to control persistent flooding in Boardman and Canfield have received a financial shot in the arm from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

The state EPA has awarded $1.1 million to the ABC Stormwater District for two projects.

The money will be used to replace three undersized culverts in Boardman to meet county drainage standards.

The funding is also earmarked for developing a stormwater plan for Indian Run. The plan will impact the Huntington Woods neighborhood in Boardman, which is downstream from Indian Run in Canfield Township.  This water then flows into Mill Creek Park.

The ABC Water District, a joint effort of Austintown, Boardman, and Canfield Townships, was created to address issues relating to stormwater quality and quantity in the area.

The funding is part of more than $29 million in low-interest rate and principal forgiveness funding from Ohio EPA to improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure and make other water quality improvements in Northeast Ohio communities.

Combined, Ohio communities will save more than $30 million when compared to market-rate loans.

Created in 1989, the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) helps communities improve their wastewater treatment systems.

The Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA), started in 1998, provides loans for improvements to community drinking water systems and nonprofit, noncommunity public water systems. Both programs offer below-market interest rate loans, which can save communities a substantial amount of money compared to a market-rate loan.

Ohio EPA's state revolving fund (SRF) loans are provided to communities to build and upgrade wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, upgrade home sewage treatment systems, better manage stormwater, address combined sewer overflows and implement other water quality-related projects.