- Andrew Napolitano
Treasurer Goldberg Announces Over $23.9 Million in Grants for 33 Municipal Water Projects
Funds Will Help Cities and Towns Pay for Improvements to Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
BOSTON -- State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (Trust), announced that more than $23.9 million in grants were awarded for 33 projects in 26 communities across the Commonwealth. The grant funds are awarded to cities, towns, counties, and water utilities most in need of financial assistance to help pay for improvements to drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
The $23.9 million in grants is associated with 33 projects being funded by $229 million in low interest loans by the Trust. These funds reduce the total loan amount and are meant for communities that may not be able to complete this necessary work without additional financial assistance.
"Providing these funds saves significant dollars for our local communities while protecting the environment and the health of our citizens," said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. "This $23.9 million investment is another wonderful example of the Trust's work helping our cities and towns, and most importantly the people who live here."
The Trust improves the water quality in the Commonwealth by offering low-cost capital financing to cities, towns, counties, and other eligible entities. Communities receiving these grants will see a total reduction in their project costs which will free up capital for other local needs. The loans pay for water projects such as upgrades to water treatment facilities, stormwater and nutrient mitigation, and sewer improvement projects.
"MassDEP congratulates communities across the Commonwealth for their vision and commitment, under very challenging circumstances, to invest in maintaining critical water infrastructure and protect public health and the environment," said Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Commissioner Martin Suuberg, who is a member of the Clean Water Trust's Board of Trustees. "This funding supports important drinking water and clean water projects in communities across the Commonwealth."
The communities or water utilities receiving grants are: Ayer, Barnstable, Barnstable County, Barnstable Fire District, Blackstone, Brockton, Chicopee, Deerfield Fire District, Dracut Water Supply District, Dudley, East Brookfield, Eastham, Fall River, Fitchburg, Gloucester, Holyoke, Leominster, Lynn Water and Sewer Commission, New Bedford, Revere, South Essex Sewerage District, Springfield Water & Sewer Commission, Taunton, Tyngsborough, Wareham, and West Boylston Water District of West Boylston.
"The Baker-Polito Administration is proud to continue supporting Commonwealth communities working to strengthen local drinking water and wastewater management systems," said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan, who is also a member of the Clean Water Trust's Board of Trustees. "Infrastructure investments like these are critical to maintaining the health and well-being of Massachusetts residents, and we are pleased to award more than $23.9 million to help 26 communities complete important water improvement projects."
Chaired by Treasurer and Receiver General Deborah B. Goldberg, the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust is a state agency that improves water quality throughout the Commonwealth by providing low-interest loans to municipalities and other eligible entities. Since its establishment in 1989, the Trust has partnered with MassDEP to help develop and finance approximately $8.1 billion of water infrastructure projects serving an estimate 97% of the Commonwealth's population.