Overview
The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (the Trust) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) are offering two new programs for Lead Service Line inventories and replacement planning programs to assist public water suppliers with complying with Lead and Copper Rule revisions. The planning loan program will offer 100% loan forgiveness for projects completing these activities. Additionally, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will offer direct technical assistance for Community and Non-Transient, Non-Community public water suppliers serving less than 10,000 persons.
SRF Loans with 100% Loan Forgiveness
Starting July 2022, the Trust is offering $20 million in loans with 100% loan forgiveness for planning activities assisting all public water suppliers (PWSs) to complete planning projects for Lead Service Line (LSL) inventories and for the development of LSL replacement plans. The MassDEP will accept loan applications on a rolling basis while funding is available.
The Trust recommends that PWSs apply as soon as possible to access funding as applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. Application instructions and links are available on MassDEP’s website.
Program funding will come from the DWSRF Lead Service Line Grant and the Water Infrastructure Funding Transfer Act (WIFTA) funds. The details on the projects funded by the sources of funding will be reported in the DWSRF Annual Report.
Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. However, only the WIFTA funds can be used for PWSs serving non-Disadvantaged Communities. Please visit the Trust’s Disadvantaged Community Program page for more information on the ranking of disadvantaged communities.
The LSL Planning Program loans will follow all SRF requirements but on an expediated schedule. As part of these requirements, PWSs must authorize the borrowing of the funds and follow MassDEP’s loan payment requisition process. Loan forgiveness will only occur when the project has been closed out. Participating PWSs may be in receipt of federal funds and be responsible for the reporting requirements associated with those funds. Please review the Trust's Financing Agreement Terms and Conditions for further information.
