$695 million grant funding available for clean drinking water projects in Rhode Island

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE)- Governor McKee, Lieutenant Governor Matos, Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, and Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank CEO Jeffrey Diehl joined together today to tour a new Woonsocket drinking water treatment facility and highlight the $695 million funding available to local municipalities and quasi-public entities.

Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank will fund the drinking water projects across Rhode Island. The $695 million will allow for $500 million towards infrastructure, $141 million for lead lines replacement, and $41 million for contaminants.

“We cannot take for granted our everyday access to clean and drinking water,” said Governor McKee. “That is why investment in this infrastructure is so critical. Rhode Island has an historic opportunity to tap into Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for upgrades to treatment facilities, water mains, and pipes that will provide residents with clean, healthy water and help our environment for generations to come.”

“Clean water infrastructure is an environmental justice issue and I’m glad it was a priority in President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Lt. Governor Sabina Matos. “Not only will these funds combat climate change, protect our waterways, and promote access to clean drinking water, but they will also create good paying jobs as evidenced by our tour today of Woonsocket’s new drinking water treatment plant.”

“High‐quality infrastructure and a clean environment are vital to Rhode Island’s economic prosperity,” said Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner. “The $695 million in Infrastructure Bill funding will help create greater economic opportunity by putting people to work in good-paying jobs that would protect the beautiful Narragansett Bay, as well as local beaches, rivers and streams that make Rhode Island a great place to live while ensuring the water that comes out of the tap, is clean and safe.”

The application process covers a wide-range of eligibility; it can include treatment plants, water mains and pipes, and other water-related investments. Funding is also available for green infrastructure such as addressing stormwater runoff, green space, water conservation and efficiency, and improve habitat efficiency.

“Thanks to funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Rhode Island has a truly historic opportunity to invest in clean and drinking water infrastructure projects critical to the health of our communities, our businesses, and our environment,” said Jeffrey Diehl, CEO of Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. “Over the next 5 years, the Infrastructure Bank anticipates receiving nearly $700 million for clean and drinking water projects, with many of these dollars coming in the form of direct grants or 100% principal forgiveness loans. From upgrading water treatment facilities, to investing in water mains, to replacing lead pipes, to green infrastructure projects that manage stormwater while creating green space, we want our municipal partners to think big, creatively, and to submit their projects for funding.”

Projects can be submitted to the Project Priority Lists by the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. The Infrastructure Bank will also assist in funding decisions for projects.