Additional ARRA funds to benefit water projects

BOSTON – An additional $185 million in federal stimulus funding has become available for 127 statewide drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects in Massachusetts.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds will be distributed to shovel-ready projects listed as part of the 2009 State Revolving Fund program, Gov. Deval L. Patrick’s administration said in a press release.
The Revolving Fund is comprised of two programs: the Clean Water Fund, which has awarded nearly $3.9 billion in loans since 1991, and the Drinking Water Fund, which has awarded more than $975 million to projects since 1999.
Clean Water funds projects for wastewater, such as treatment plants and upgrades to existing sewer systems, and this year includes 80 projects, totaling more than $744 million. Drinking Water funds engineering, design and construction of drinking water projects that protect public health and this year includes 52 projects, totaling nearly $242 million.
Because the ARRA requires that a portion of these new funds be utilized for grants, legislation is now pending to authorize grants for the revolving fund. The grants are expected to reduce the cost of these infrastructure projects by 8 to 14 percent.
The ARRA also requires that 20 percent of the federal stimulus funds for SRF be used for green infrastructure improvements at treatment facilities. &#8226