ICYMI: NH Delegation Welcomes $7.6 Million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to Improve Drinking Water Systems in New Hampshire
(Manchester, NH) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) announced today with Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH) and Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH) that the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is receiving $7,640,000 in fiscal year (FY) 2023 bipartisan infrastructure law funding to address emerging contaminants in drinking water with a focus on projects addressing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The funding was allocated though the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the state’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).
“When I fought to secure specific funding to address PFAS in the bipartisan infrastructure law, I had New Hampshire families in mind because no Granite Stater should ever worry that the water coming into their homes is not safe to drink,” said Senator Shaheen. "New Hampshire has long led the way to address PFAS to get these toxins out of our water and with today’s announcement, federal support to continue this work is heading to communities that need it the most."
“Granite Staters deserve clean water, and this significant federal funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law will help address dangerous PFAS contamination in our drinking water,” said Senator Hassan. “Granite Staters have never let up in speaking out about the need to address PFAS contamination, which is why when we negotiated the bipartisan infrastructure law, we worked to ensure that it tackled this urgent priority. I am glad to see this latest investment in New Hampshire so that more families can have safe, clean drinking water.”
“New Hampshire families deserve to know the water they are drinking is clean, safe, and free from dangerous PFAS chemicals. This funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law will go a long way towards protecting Granite Staters and addressing PFAS contamination,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “The bipartisan infrastructure law is a game-changer for our state, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this funding will have on the health and well-being of our communities.”
“Forever chemicals such as PFAS threaten the health and safety of our water, environment, and communities,” said Congressman Pappas. “I helped pass the bipartisan infrastructure law to secure funding to address PFAS contamination and safeguard drinking water in our communities, and I’m pleased to see this investment being delivered to New Hampshire. All Granite Staters deserve clean and safe drinking water, and I will continue working to protect public health and confront PFAS contamination.”
The DWSRF is a financial assistance program to help water systems and states achieve the health protection objectives of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The grants awarded through this program can be used for improving drinking water treatment, repairing pipes, improving water sources, replacing or constructing storage tanks and other projects needed to protect the water supply.
Shaheen and Hassan helped negotiate the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provides a $550 billion investment in our nation’s core infrastructure priorities – including roads and bridges, rail, transit, ports, airports, the electric grid, water systems and broadband. Shaheen co-led negotiations on water infrastructure provisions and secured robust funding -- $10 billion – to address PFAS contamination nationwide. Shaheen has long led action in the Senate on PFAS response, remediation and research.
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