Congresswoman Trahan, Administrator Cash: Federal Wastewater Infrastructure Funding Coming to Merrimack Valley

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) welcomed newly appointed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator for New England David Cash to Lowell to discuss the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's historic investments in upgrading Massachusetts water infrastructure, particularly sewage systems along the Merrimack River.

"For decades, federal divestment from critical wastewater infrastructure upgrades has forced communities like Lowell and so many others along the Merrimack River to foot the bill. That neglect finally ended when we passed and the President signed into law the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law," said Congresswoman Trahan. "This package is delivering unprecedented federal investments to upgrade our sewage systems and clean up our drinking water. I'm grateful to Administrator Cash for joining us in Lowell today and for understanding the importance of stopping the combined sewage overflows polluting the Merrimack."

During the roundtable discussion, Congresswoman Trahan and Administrator Cash provided city and state officials as well as nonprofit partners with an update on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was passed by the House and signed into law by President Joe Biden in December. Specifically, the federal package allocates $55 billion to upgrade community water systems and replace lead service lines across the nation. Of that funding, Massachusetts is set to receive at least $1.1 billion over the next half-decade to improve water infrastructure in communities like Lowell. In December, the EPA announced the first tranche of $188 million was being sent to Massachusetts through the State Revolving Fund.

"Modernizing water and sewer infrastructure is imperative to keeping waterways like the Merrimack River clean and healthy," said Lowell City Manager Eileen Donoghue. "The high costs associated with these critical infrastructure projects can be prohibitive to municipalities that would otherwise be willing to take them on. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go a long way towards helping communities make necessary upgrades to wastewater infrastructure."

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