$3.1 billion in federal water infrastructure funding is now active for New England. Here's what property owners and municipalities need to know about accessing these resources.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed in November 2021, represented the largest federal investment in water infrastructure in American history. For New England — a region with some of the oldest water and sewer infrastructure in the country — the implications are substantial.
$3.1 billion in water infrastructure funding is now flowing to New England states through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs, supplemented by direct grants for small and disadvantaged communities. Understanding how to access these funds — and what projects they can support — is increasingly important for municipalities, water authorities, and large commercial property owners across the region.
Why New England's Infrastructure Needs Are Acute
New England's water and sewer infrastructure is among the oldest in the country. Boston's water distribution system includes pipes installed in the 1800s. Many Massachusetts municipalities have cast iron water mains that are approaching or exceeding their design service life of 100 years. The American Society of Civil Engineers' 2021 Infrastructure Report Card gave Massachusetts water infrastructure a C+ grade — functional but aging, with significant deferred maintenance.
The consequences of aging infrastructure are visible every day. Massachusetts experiences hundreds of water main breaks annually, with the rate increasing as the pipe stock ages. Each break represents direct repair costs, property damage, service disruption, and the long-term liability of an infrastructure system that is deteriorating faster than it is being replaced.
What the Funding Covers
The federal infrastructure funding flowing through the state revolving fund programs can support a wide range of water and sewer infrastructure projects:
Water main replacement and rehabilitation is the most common use — replacing aging cast iron or asbestos cement pipes with modern ductile iron or HDPE pipe. These projects directly reduce the frequency of main breaks and improve water quality by eliminating the corrosion and leaching that occurs in old pipe materials.
Sewer system rehabilitation addresses aging collection systems, including the combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that discharge untreated sewage into Boston Harbor and other water bodies during heavy rain events. Federal funding has supported significant CSO reduction work in Boston and other Massachusetts cities.
Lead service line replacement is a priority under the current funding cycle, driven by federal requirements under the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. Massachusetts has an estimated 200,000 lead service lines connecting water mains to homes and buildings — their replacement is a public health priority with dedicated federal funding.
How Municipalities Can Access Funding
The primary pathway for municipal water authorities is through the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, which administers the state revolving fund programs. The Trust offers low-interest loans and, for qualifying projects and communities, grants that do not require repayment.
The application process requires a project engineering report, an environmental review, and documentation of the project's public health or environmental benefits. Projects that address lead service lines, combined sewer overflows, or aging infrastructure with documented failure rates receive priority scoring.
For municipalities that have not recently updated their water and sewer capital improvement plans, now is the time. The funding availability is highest in the current cycle, and projects that are shovel-ready — with engineering complete and permits in hand — are best positioned to access it.
Implications for Private Property Owners
Large commercial property owners and condo associations in Massachusetts have a more limited pathway to federal infrastructure funding, but the funding environment still affects them in important ways.
Municipal water main replacement projects often trigger requirements for private property owners to replace their service lines — the pipes connecting the public main to the building. When a municipality replaces a water main, it is common practice to require concurrent replacement of service lines, particularly lead service lines. Property owners should monitor their municipality's capital improvement plans and be prepared for service line replacement requirements.
Additionally, the increased pace of municipal infrastructure work creates both opportunities and challenges for commercial properties. Opportunities include the chance to coordinate private utility work with public projects, potentially reducing costs and disruption. Challenges include construction impacts on access, parking, and business operations during extended municipal projects.
The Workforce and Contractor Implications
The scale of infrastructure investment flowing into New England is creating significant demand for qualified excavation and utility contractors. The work requires licensed Municipal Drain Layer contractors, OSHA-certified crews, and the commercial-grade equipment necessary for large-diameter pipe replacement in urban environments.
ELM Company is positioned to support both municipal and private clients in executing the infrastructure work that this funding is enabling. Our Municipal Drain Layer license, USDOT active carrier status, and commercial equipment fleet meet the qualification requirements for publicly funded infrastructure projects. Contact us to discuss how we can support your infrastructure program.