Funds will help cities and towns pay for improvements to drinking water and wastewater infrastructure BOSTON -- State Treasurer Deb Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, announced more than $7.5 million in loan principal forgiveness for 17projects in nine communities statewide. The principle forgiveness funds are administered on a competitive basis to cities and towns most in need of financial assistance to help pay for improvements to drinking water and infrastructure. "Providing these funds to local communities will save the ratepayers money and protect the health of the citizens and the environment," said Treasurer Goldberg. "This $7.5 million is another example of the excellent work the Trust does saving our local communities money." The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust improves the water quality in the Commonwealth through the provision of low-cost capital financing to cities, towns and other eligible entities. Due to the reduction of loan principal funded by this program, impacted communities will see their bi-annual loan repayments reduced, freeing up capital for other local needs. The loans were originated to pay for municipal water projects such as upgrades to water treatment facilities and stormwater and sewer improvement projects. The communities that earned loan principal forgiveness are: Brockton, Fall River, Gardner, Gloucester, New Bedford, Revere, Wareham, Webster, and West Springfield. "The challenges to maintain and operate water infrastructure are significant for communities in Massachusetts," said Commissioner Martin Suuberg of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), which is a member of the Clean Water Trust. "The Baker-Polito Administration is pleased to be able to direct some additional financial assistance to maintaining and improving water infrastructure and protecting the health of residents in these communities." The $7.5 million in loan forgiveness funds is associated with a total original loan amount of more than $109 million. The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust lends financial assistance to the Commonwealth under the State Revolving Fund program which offers subsidized loans to cities, towns, and regional agencies to help protect their water resources and drinking water. Since its establishment in 1989, the Trust has loaned nearly $7.3 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 Clean Water Trust. A list of communities and loans impacted by the grants is attached.

MassDEP Contact:

Edmund Coletta

Press Secretary/Public Affairs Director

(617) 292-5737 Cell: (617) 797-2683

edmund.coletta@mass.gov