Press Release  Governor Healey Calls for Trump Administration to Invest in Safe Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey is urging continued federal investment in drinking water and clean water infrastructure following the recent sewer force main break in Haverhill and proposed cuts by the Trump Administration that would significantly reduce funding for projects that communities rely on to provide safe drinking water, protect water quality and modernize aging infrastructure. 

Massachusetts is home to some of the oldest drinking water and wastewater systems in the nation. Through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), the state has and has successfully distributed more than $10 billion in infrastructure improvements serving communities across Massachusetts. Aging drinking water and wastewater systems face challenges from deteriorating pipes, limited capacity, and the growing impacts of our changing climate. President Trump’s proposed budget cuts would reduce SRF funding by approximately 89 percent, making it significantly harder for communities to complete critical infrastructure projects.   

“Every family deserves to know that when they turn on the tap, they’ll have safe, clean drinking water,and every community deserves reliable wastewater infrastructure that protects public health in our cities and towns,” said Governor Maura Healey “We saw the devastating impacts that outdated water infrastructure can have with the Haverhill sewer main break this summer. Communities cannot shoulder these costs alone. We need the Trump Administration to do their part by investing in these projects that keep people safe and prepare us for more extreme weather.”  

The consequences of outdated infrastructure are already being felt. In June, a 42-inch force main near the South Mill Street Pump Station in Haverhill failed following torrential rainfall, with a second break discovered shortly afterward. While the City worked quickly to install a temporary bypass system, approximately 8 million gallons of untreated wastewater flowed into the Merrimack River each day, prompting temporary beach swimming and shellfish closures in nearby communities. Although force main failures are uncommon, the incident underscores the urgent need to invest in resilient water infrastructure as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.  

"Federal funding allows us to invest in vital water infrastructure projects that directly benefit everyone across the entire state," said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. "These investments ensure the safety of our drinking water and protect public health, while lowering costs for local communities. Providing clean drinking water and proper wastewater disposal is something we cannot afford to lose." 

“Massachusetts water supplies and sewer systems are vulnerable to a warmer climate, which threatens public health and water quality,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "More intense storms, flooding, and aging infrastructure put public health, water quality, and our environment at risk. Continued investment in resilient water infrastructure is essential to protecting our communities today and preparing for the challenges of tomorrow." 

Massachusetts communities depend on federal-State Revolving Fund financing to replace aging drinking water systems, modernize wastewater treatment facilities, remove lead service lines, address emerging contaminants such as PFAS, and improve resilience to increasingly frequent extreme weather. 

Following the sewer force main failure in Haverhill, Massachusetts is working to leverage the State Revolving Fund to support Haverhill’s capital needs. The SRF is the state's primary source of financing for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects, many of which cost tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars. Without this partnership, many communities would be forced to delay or abandon critical projects, increasing costs and putting public health and the environment at greater risk. 

The Trump Administration has proposed to significantly reduce State Revolving Fund capitalization, threatening states' ability to replace lead service lines, modernize wastewater treatment facilities, improve drinking water systems and strengthen infrastructure against increasingly severe weather. 

“Maintaining reliable water systems protects public health and the environment,” said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. “The State Revolving Fund has helped communities across Massachusetts make critical investments that would otherwise be out of reach. Preserving this partnership is essential to ensuring safe, reliable water infrastructure for generations to come." 

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