PROVIDENCE – State officials on Tuesday said they plan to borrow $135 million to fund water infrastructure projects across Rhode Island, the bulk of which – $92.15 million – will be used by the Narragansett Bay Commission and 10 municipalities to replace old and failing sewage systems.
The $92.15 million includes $26 million from the federal economic stimulus law enacted in February, with the rest coming from the R.I. Clean Water Finance Agency, a nonprofit quasi-state agency. State and local officials gathered at Save the Bay in Providence Tuesday to announce the funding.
Officials said bond principal reductions and interest caps paid for by the federal government are allowing them to fund more projects than would otherwise have been possible.
“I am pleased to have certified these projects of critical need for our state and congratulate the cities and towns who worked hard to apply for and receive this competitive funding,” Gov. Donald L. Carcieri said in a statement.
The sewer projects range in size from a $10 million upgrade of East Providence’s Wastewater Treatment Facility, which will reduce the level of nutrients it discharges into Narragansett Bay, to $560,000 in funding for the construction of a sewer line in Smithfield to eliminate failing septic systems.
Other communities slated to receive money include Bristol ($3.6 million), Coventry ($2.9 million), East Greenwich ($2.9 million), Johnson ($2.5 million), Newport ($6.6 million), North Smithfield ($4.75 million), Warren ($2 million) and Warwick ($1.3 million).
In addition, the Narragansett Bay Commission will receive $55 million to reduce the amount of nutrients that its wastewater treatment facility dumps into Narragansett Bay. The nutrients can lead to fish kills and detrimental algae booms.
In addition to the $92 million for sewage projects, another $43 million will go toward drinking water projects in 11 communities, with $19.5 million coming from the stimulus and the rest from the Clean Water Finance Agency.
Cumberland will receive $8.2 million to replace a major water main, clean another and install an emergency connection to Woonsocket. Other towns will use the bonds to clean their systems, install modern water meters, fix piping and place new water storage tanks.
Other communities slated to receive the bonds include East Providence ($6 million), East Smithfield ($462,000), Kingston ($520,000), Lincoln ($1.5 million), Newport ($3.3 million), North Kingstown ($1.9 million), Pascoag ($136,626), Pawtucket ($7.4 million), Portsmouth ($400,000) and Providence ($13.2 million).
“Rhode Island’s water infrastructure is a vital asset to preserving public health and the environment and for supporting economic growth and development. We are not waiting to put this money to good use,” Carcieri said. “Some communities, such as Johnston and North Smithfield, will begin drawing their projects funds later today.”
Additional information is available at ricwfa.com.
