Senator Eldridge and Representative Arciero Announce Over $15 Million in Funding to Finance Drinking Water and Clean Water Quality Projects in Littleton
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) released community allocations of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)
Littleton, MA -- State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) and State Representative James Arciero (D-Westford) are pleased to announce that the State Revolving Fund loan program has awarded over $15 million to the town of Littleton to fund water infrastructure projects supporting a clean, healthy, and modern water supply.
This funding is part of $1.3 billion in low-interest-rate loans and grants allocated for projects proposed by municipalities, regional water supply and wastewater treatment districts, and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). Administered by the Clean Water Trust, the State Revolving Fund is instrumental to improving water quality, updating aging infrastructure, and improving renewable energy and climate resiliency in water systems across the Commonwealth. This year's funding includes $173 million from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and finances 61 clean water infrastructure projects, 50 drinking water construction projects, and 39 Asset Management Planning projects.
“Water infrastructure is in serious need of updates and climate resiliency improvements in municipalities across the commonwealth. I am grateful this essential funding has been allocated to Littleton to extend their public water supply into Boxborough and ensure safe drinking water for my constituents as well as to support improved stormwater management,”said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) “The continued investment in protecting this crucial natural resource is paramount and I am proud to be sponsoring S.476 An Act improving municipal water infrastructure, which would increase municipal funds for drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater infrastructure.”
“Thank you to MassDEP and Senator Eldridge for partnering in this effort to maintain safe, clean drinking water for the citizens of Littleton and the region,” said State Representative James Arciero (D-Westford) “This critical funding of $15 million will allow Littleton to extend the town’s water supply, as well as support enhanced stormwater management services, to ensure that the residents will have quality water infrastructure both for residential use and for future growth.”
The State Revolving Fund programs make water projects accessible to communities and ensures affordability through loan forgiveness offered to municipalities meeting the affordability criteria, including 64 of this year's new projects. Additionally, reduced borrowing rates are available for communities meeting the Housing Choice Initiative criteria to support municipalities pursuing sustainable and affordable housing.
The Littleton Water Department will receive $15,000,000 in funding through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to support an extension of Littleton’s public water supply into Boxborough. This is important given the contamination impacting Boxborough where most residents get water through private wells, many of which are too close to wastewater systems and stormwater infrastructure. The extension of Littleton’s water supply would provide Boxborough residents with safe drinking water, a project the Littleton Water Department and the Boxborough Water Resources Committee have been working closely on with MassDEP and MassDOT. The town of Littleton was also awarded $109,500 through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for the Littleton Stormwater Asset Management Project. This funding supports Littlteon’s management of stormwater and efforts to reduce contamination of stormwater runoff.
Clean, safe water is essential to the health and prosperity of the Commonwealth. Funding provided through the State Revolving Fund enables the projects necessary to maintain and improve Massachusetts’ water infrastructure and ensures this need is met for residents today and for generations to come.
###
