NH Delegation Applauds $18.6M Heading to NH for Water Infrastructure Upgrades
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) welcomed $18,688,000 in funding headed to New Hampshire to improve water infrastructure. This federal funding through the fiscal year (FY) 2022 government funding bill will expand access to safe drinking water, protect water resources and create new jobs across the state. The funding will be administered through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).
“Granite State families should never have to worry about access to safe drinking water, but unfortunately that’s a reality for too many. That’s why I’m glad this federal funding is heading to New Hampshire to update aging water systems to improve safety and quality, while creating jobs in the process. This funding builds on the incredible progress we’ve made on our water infrastructure through the bipartisan infrastructure law, which I led negotiations around,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’ll continue to prioritize resources that protect our state’s vital water sources and provide reliable water for communities across the state.”
“This federal funding, along with funds we helped to secure in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help revitalize and rebuild New Hampshire water infrastructure,” said Senator Hassan. “Having access to safe drinking water and protecting our water resources is essential to the health of Granite Staters and our economy, and I look forward to continuing to build on our progress to ensure safe and clean water for all.”
“In addition to funds secured in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this federal funding will expand crucial investments in our state’s water infrastructure while improving public safety and creating jobs,” said Representative Kuster. “It is vital that we maintain and update our water infrastructure to ensure every New Hampshire family has access to clean drinking water and that our waterways remain safe and protected for generations to come. I am thrilled to welcome these resources into our communities, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on our state.”
“Too many Granite Staters do not have access to clean drinking water, and it’s well past time we act to address this pressing environmental and public health issue,” said Representative Pappas. “I fought hard to increase funding available to states through the State Revolving Funds during the appropriations process and pass the bipartisan infrastructure law to improve our water infrastructure. I’m proud these measures are delivering funds for critical community projects across New Hampshire.”
As a senior member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Shaheen helped secure historic investments in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for New Hampshire. Congress provided $1.638 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRFs) and $1.126 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund through the FY 2022 government funding bill. This funding is in addition to historic investments in water infrastructure provided through the bipartisan infrastructure law, which Shaheen led negotiations around. Shaheen announced New Hampshire will receive more than $72 million in federal funds from the EPA to improve New Hampshire’s drinking water and wastewater systems, including addressing PFAS and lead in Granite State water supplies. Shaheen also co-led negotiations around $10 billion to address PFAS contamination – an issue which she’s long led action on in the Senate. Shaheen also secured a fix to the Contribution-in-Aid of Construction (CIAC) tax issue, which arose after congressional Republicans and the Trump administration reinstated the tax in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
###
