Healey-Driscoll Administration Awarded $53.5 Million for
Drinking Water Projects
BOSTON – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration celebrated $53.5 million in funding for Massachusetts cities and towns to help identify and address water contaminants like PFAS, lead, and others. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) award today is the result of the supplemental funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The EPA announced the funding alongside the final Lead and Copper Rule, which requires the replacement of lead pipes within 10 years.
“Massachusetts has long been a leader in addressing harmful
contaminants like PFAS and lead, and this additional funding will help
accelerate that important work,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We
are grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for its investment in our vital
infrastructure and public health. Massachusetts will put these funds to good
use to protect the health and well-being of our communities and ensure everyone
has clean drinking water.”
"This award is a team effort. We’re grateful for the
strong advocacy of our partners in local, state and federal government to
secure federal support to ensure the people of Massachusetts have clean
drinking water,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Team
Massachusetts is going to continue to hustle for every federal funding
opportunity to bring home to our communities.”
The $53,457,000 awarded today is a part of the General
Supplemental Drinking Water State Revolving Fund allotment from the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law. This funding will flow through the Massachusetts Clean
Water Trust and is available to support drinking water infrastructure projects
including PFAS remediation, lead pipe replacement, and other clean drinking
water projects. Additionally, 49 percent of the funding must be provided to
low-income communities as grant funding or principal forgiveness that does not
have to be repaid.
“Clean drinking water is an act of environmental justice,”
said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Communities
of color and low-income neighborhoods disproportionately get their water from
lead pipes or experience contamination from PFAS. This historic new rule and
additional funds for Massachusetts’ infrastructure efforts will mark a
significant step forward for our residents and public health nationwide.”
“Everyone, regardless of where they live, deserves access to
safe, clean drinking water,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner
Bonnie Heiple. “We’re proud of our nation-leading efforts to address PFAS
and lead contamination in Massachusetts. Our team, along with our hard-working
public water suppliers, is ready to get these funds into the hands of the
communities in need.”
“We applaud the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to
support the critical work of replacing lead service lines in our communities
and this funding to support clean drinking water projects across the state”
said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey.
“We will continue to work closely with our Massachusetts congressional
delegation and federal partners to ensure Massachusetts has the resources we
need to remediate contamination in our water infrastructure.”
Under the Revised Lead and Copper Rule finalized today, the
EPA is also requiring local public water systems to investigate the number of
lead service lines in their water distribution system and report those findings
to the state agency that oversees drinking water – in Massachusetts that is the
Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).
Learn more about the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Lead Service Line Program.
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