Press Release

Press Release  Treasurer Goldberg Announces $30 Million In Grants for Municipal Water Projects

Funds will help disadvantage communities address lead in drinking water
For immediate release:
9/03/2020
  • The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust
  • Office of State Treasurer and Receiver General Deborah B. Goldberg

Media Contact   for Treasurer Goldberg Announces $30 Million In Grants for Municipal Water Projects

Andrew Napolitano, Deputy Communications Director, Office of State Treasurer and Receiver General

BOSTON — State Treasurer Deb Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (Trust), announced today the allocation of $30 million in additional grants for municipal projects to address lead in drinking water for disadvantaged communities.

The Trust voted on Wednesday to administer the funds to support future investments in local water projects. The new grant program will be implemented with guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and engineering and technical support from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).

The funds will assist cities and towns most in need of financial assistance to help pay for remediation efforts addressing lead in drinking water or planning projects to identify sources of lead for remediation.

Eligible project types include but not limited to:

  • Planning and design
  • Replacement of lead service lines
  • Corrosion control projects
  • Lead removal/treatment

"Protecting the health and safety of Massachusetts residents is a critical priority for our Administration," said Governor Charlie Baker. "The allocation of this funding will assist disadvantaged communities with crucial maintenance projects, including the replacement of lead service lines, leading to cleaner, safer water."

"This funding from the Clean Water Trust will support important remediation efforts in municipalities across Massachusetts," said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. "By funding the planning and design of water systems in disadvantaged communities, our Administration is building on our commitment to ensure safe, healthy drinking water for all Commonwealth residents."

"As Chair of the Clean Water Trust, I am pleased to work with the Baker-Polito Administration, MassDEP, and EPA to provide funds to local communities that will protect the health of our citizens and create a cleaner environment," said Treasurer and Receiver General Deborah B. Goldberg. "This $30 million will help reduce the cost of these projects and assist communities in providing lead free drinking water to our most vulnerable residents."

"EPA is proud that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts took advantage of the flexibility to fund projects to reduce lead in drinking water, as provided by the Water Infrastructure Funding Transfer Act (WIFTA)," said U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Dennis Deziel. Communities across the commonwealth will now be eligible to apply for this $30 million dollar program funded by a one-time transfer from the Clean Water to the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF). "I applaud Governor Baker, Treasurer Goldberg, and their teams for their commitment to protecting the health of children by supporting projects to reduce their exposure to lead in drinking water."

"MassDEP is pleased to partner with the Clean Water Trust to invest in projects to remove lead from drinking water," said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg, who is a member of the Clean Water Trust. "This funding helps our communities protect public health and improve water quality."

"The Baker-Polito Administration is pleased to continue partnering with Massachusetts cities and towns to support increased access to clean water," said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. "These grants will allow municipalities to carry out important water infrastructure improvement projects that help ensure residents and families have safe, lead-free drinking water."

The Trust improves the water quality in the Commonwealth by providing capital financing to cities, towns and other eligible entities to help protect and improve their water infrastructure. These funds will be awarded to disadvantaged communities that have eligible projects on the 2020, 2021 and 2022 MassDEP Intended Use Plans.

About the Clean Water Trust:

Since its establishment in 1989, the Clean Water Trust has loaned nearly $7.6 billion to improve and maintain the quality of water in the Commonwealth. An estimated 97 percent of Massachusetts' residents have benefited from the financial assistance of the Trust.

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Media Contact   for Treasurer Goldberg Announces $30 Million In Grants for Municipal Water Projects

  • The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust 

    The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (the Trust) is a state agency that improves water quality throughout the Commonwealth by providing low-interest loans to municipalities and other eligible entities.
  • Office of State Treasurer and Receiver General Deborah B. Goldberg 

    Our mission at the Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General of Massachusetts is to prudently manage and safeguard the state's public deposits and investments through sound business practices for the exclusive benefits of our citizens, and perform these duties with integrity, excellence, and leadership.
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