Boston - On October 9, 2024, the Healey-Driscoll Administration celebrated $53.5 million in funding for Massachusetts cities and towns to help identify and address water contaminants like PFAS, lead, and others. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) award today is the result of the supplemental funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The EPA announced the funding alongside the final Lead and Copper Rule, which requires the replacement of lead pipes within 10 years.

“Massachusetts has long been a leader in addressing harmful contaminants like PFAS and lead, and this additional funding will help accelerate that important work,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for its investment in our vital infrastructure and public health. Massachusetts will put these funds to good use to protect the health and well-being of our communities and ensure everyone has clean drinking water.”

"This award is a team effort. We’re grateful for the strong advocacy of our partners in local, state and federal government to secure federal support to ensure the people of Massachusetts have clean drinking water,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Team Massachusetts is going to continue to hustle for every federal funding opportunity to bring home to our communities.”

The $53,457,000 awarded today is a part of the General Supplemental Drinking Water State Revolving Fund allotment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding will flow through the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust and is available to support drinking water infrastructure projects including PFAS remediation, lead pipe replacement, and other clean drinking water projects. Additionally, 49 percent of the funding must be provided to low-income communities as grant funding or principal forgiveness that does not have to be repaid.  

“Clean drinking water is an act of environmental justice,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Communities of color and low-income neighborhoods disproportionately get their water from lead pipes or experience contamination from PFAS. This historic new rule and additional funds for Massachusetts’ infrastructure efforts will mark a significant step forward for our residents and public health nationwide.”

“Everyone, regardless of where they live, deserves access to safe, clean drinking water,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. “We’re proud of our nation-leading efforts to address PFAS and lead contamination in Massachusetts. Our team, along with our hard-working public water suppliers, is ready to get these funds into the hands of the communities in need.”

“We applaud the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to support the critical work of replacing lead service lines in our communities and this funding to support clean drinking water projects across the state” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “We will continue to work closely with our Massachusetts congressional delegation and federal partners to ensure Massachusetts has the resources we need to remediate contamination in our water infrastructure.”   

Under the Revised Lead and Copper Rule finalized today, the EPA is also requiring local public water systems to investigate the number of lead service lines in their water distribution system and report those findings to the state agency that oversees drinking water - in Massachusetts that is the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).  

Learn more about the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Lead Service Line Program. 

Statements of Support

State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust:

“We are grateful for this critical investment from the Biden-Harris Administration. These resources will ensure the safety of our drinking water, protecting the public’s health and supporting communities across our entire state. Replacing lead pipes and remediating PFAS in our water system is essential for the well-being of every Massachusetts resident, particularly those who are most vulnerable.”  

Senator Elizabeth Warren:

“Every single community should have access to clean drinking water. This new rule - along with over $50 million in federal funding for Massachusetts - sets high standards for clean water and helps communities replace harmful lead pipes and address PFAS contamination so that no family has to worry about whether their water is safe to drink.”

Senator Edward Markey:

“This much-needed funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I fought for in Congress, will help the Commonwealth clean up its drinking water infrastructure as we work to get dangerous lead and other pollution and toxics out of all our schools and homes. No family-no matter where they live-should have to worry about whether their drinking water is going to harm their health or their children. This EPA rule puts a deadline on getting lead pipes out of every community in Massachusetts, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding will help us get there. Clean and safe drinking water should be a given, not a guess, for all.”

Democratic Whip Katherine Clark:

“Everyone deserves safe, clean drinking water. It’s a basic human right, not a privilege. Thanks to the steadfast leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, we are making historic strides in our fight to remove lead pipes from our infrastructure and dangerous toxins from our water. This funding is a victory for our Commonwealth and country - helping ensure that every faucet in every neighborhood runs clean and clear.”

Congressman Bill Keating:

"There is no safe level of lead exposure, and every resident of Massachusetts should be able to turn on their tap without worrying about lead, PFAS, and other contamination. This investment by the Biden-Harris administration, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will make it possible to deliver clean and safe drinking water, create jobs, and advance environmental justice across our Commonwealth."

Congressman Richard Neal:

“Massachusetts continues to benefit from the historic investments made by the Biden-Harris Administration and congressional Democrats. I am thrilled to join Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and my colleagues in the Massachusetts Delegation as we celebrate yet another funding announcement for the Commonwealth. Ensuring the delivery of clean water is of great importance to the health and well-being of the citizenry and our environment. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, much of which was drafted in the Ways and Means Committee under my chairmanship, has already delivered more than $500 million to provide clean and safe water and improve water infrastructure throughout Massachusetts. These are critical investments that will greatly benefit our communities for generations to come.”

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley:

“Everyone deserves to live in safe, healthy communities free of hazardous lead pipes, PFAS, and other hazards, and this intersectional federal investment will help make that a reality for folks in the Massachusetts 7th and all across the Commonwealth. Thank you to the Biden-Harris Administration for this much-needed investment and to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their partnership in building a more livable Massachusetts.”

Congresswoman Lori Trahan:

“Replacing legacy lead pipes and addressing PFAS is a crucial step in the fight to make sure Massachusetts families have access to clean and reliable drinking water. I’m thrilled to see this significant Bipartisan Infrastructure Law award, which will support the Healey-Driscoll administration’s work to ensure safe drinking water in communities across the Commonwealth.”