Healey-Driscoll Administration Awarded $53.5 Million for Drinking Water Projects

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.