Governor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker announced that 86 projects, impacting communities across the Commonwealth, are eligible to receive $610.5 million in 2 percent interest-rate loans to fund construction and planning projects designed to improve water quality, upgrade or replace aging drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and cut treatment plant energy use and costs.
The State Revolving Fund (SRF) awards were announced by Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and State Treasurer Deb Goldberg during an event in Billerica, which was awarded nearly $44 million in financing for four local water projects.
“Water infrastructure projects supported through this fund help Massachusetts’ municipalities increase the availability of clean, reliable drinking water and modernize essential water infrastructure,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration is committed to working with cities and towns across the Commonwealth to fortify water quality programs that protect our waters and public health.”
SRF financing is administered by the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust and funds projects implemented by cities and towns, regional water supply and wastewater treatment districts and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. The projects include 58 clean water initiatives totaling more than $483.8 million and 28 drinking water projects totaling more than $126.4 million. Communities offered SRF funding in this round must decide to move forward with the project by June 30, 2018 and secure local funding authority.
And earlier this week Baker proposed a $200 million bill to support municipal road and bridge projects, according to local media outlets.
