The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $26.6 million in funding to 87 tribes in California to invest in environmental programs and water infrastructure.

EPA made the announcement at the Pacific Southwest Region’s 26th Annual Tribal/EPA Conference held in San Francisco this week, hosted by the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians.

“This vital funding helps tribes provide safe drinking water to their communities and maintain important environmental programs,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “These grants have significant impacts on the environment and quality of life on tribal lands.”

EPA awarded $22.1 million to tribes in California to fund projects on water quality monitoring, watershed protection and restoration, water and energy efficiency, and wastewater recycling and treatment.

Tribes in California will also use EPA funding to clean up open dumps, develop programs to monitor, protect and improve air quality, and build public awareness of these efforts.

Another $4.5 million will fund Indian Health Service support of tribal drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, plant operator training and technical assistance.

Two of the projects funded are in Lake County.

The Big Valley Rancheria will use $173,000 to install corrosion control treatment at its public water system to address elevated levels of lead and copper at 38 tribal homes.

The Middletown Rancheria Community will use $547,050 to extend sewer line service connections to the Lake County Sanitation District, removing 40 aging septic systems.

EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region is home to 148 tribal nations and contains half of all tribal lands nationwide.