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Fiscal Year 2026 award includes a 35% increase in lead service line replacement funding via $11.3 million in reallotted federal funds, resulting from proactive coordination with Rhode Island municipalities and water utilities.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, the state’s central hub for financing infrastructure improvements for municipalities, businesses, and homeowners, in coordination with the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), has been awarded $38,776,000 in Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF) for Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) for fiscal year 2026 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This $38.7 million allocation represents a 35% increase in lead service line replacement funds compared to historical yearly allotments. The increase in funding is due to the Infrastructure Bank and RIDOH’s strong coordination with municipalities and public water systems—including Providence Water—to proactively identify and replace lead service lines throughout the state.

The total award includes $11,320,000 in reallotted federal funds from federal fiscal years 2023 and 2024. Rhode Island secured these additional reallotted dollars after other states were unable to expend their federal allotments in a timely manner.

“This 35% increase in lead service line replacement funding is a testament to the close coordination between the Infrastructure Bank, RIDOH, and local water suppliers across our state,” said William Fazioli, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. “Because our state partners and local water systems were prepared to put federal dollars to work quickly and efficiently, Rhode Island was able to capture $11.3 million in reallotted funds that other states left on the table. We want to thank Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman Seth Magaziner, and Congressman Gabe Amo for their tireless work to help Rhode Island secure this critical federal funding for drinking water infrastructure.”

“This is a wise investment in removing lead pipes and improving the health, safety, and future of Rhode Island residents and communities,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed. “I was proud to support the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and help secure this federal funding, which will support lead service line inventories and replacement projects across the state.  I commend the state for being proactive about replacing lead pipe lines and taking advantage of this additional funding,” said Senator Reed, who leads funding efforts for Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.”

“Clean, lead-free drinking water is one of the keys to good health, particularly for children,” said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.  “Bravo to the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank and the Rhode Island Department of Health for leveraging our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund these long-overdue pipe replacements at no cost to Rhode Island families.”  Whitehouse has a long history of mitigating lead hazards, dating back to his tenure as Rhode Island’s Attorney General.

“As General Treasurer, I was proud to champion the creation of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank to ensure our state was ready to put federal dollars to work quickly,” said Congressman Seth Magaziner. “This $38.7 million in funding to replace lead pipes shows that preparation is paying off. I am proud to have helped secure these resources in Congress and will keep fighting until every Rhode Islander knows that the water from their faucet is safe to drink.”

“Every Rhode Islander deserves clean, safe drinking water,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “This federal investment will help communities replace aging lead pipes, protect families, and build healthier communities. I’m proud to work alongside my colleagues to help secure these resources and will keep fighting for the federal investments Rhode Island needs.”

“Ensuring that all Rhode Islanders have access to drinking water that is healthy and safe is at the core of our public health mission,” said Jerome Larkin, MD, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. “Removing potential sources of lead contamination at no cost to property owners is a major public health victory. We are proud to partner with the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank and Rhode Island’s water suppliers as we deploy federal funding to safeguard drinking water and public health statewide.”

Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank will be receiving $108 million in total for drinking water and clean water programs for Federal Fiscal Year 2026.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, the state’s central hub for financing infrastructure improvements for municipalities, has closed on $5,616,729 in Clean Energy Fund (CEF) financing and a $700,000 Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund (EERLF) loan at 0% interest, which also includes $140,000 in principal forgiveness (i.e. a grant), to the Town of Lincoln and the Lincoln Public School District. The $6.3 million in total financing will support comprehensive energy efficiency and building system upgrades at Northern Elementary School.

“Modernizing public school facilities with energy-efficient infrastructure creates healthier, more comfortable learning environments for students while also delivering long-term energy cost savings for taxpayers,” said William Fazioli, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. “We are pleased to partner with the Town of Lincoln and the Lincoln Public School District to deliver $6.3 million in low-cost financing to support smart energy investments at Northern Elementary School.  More than ever, the Bank’s resources provide a fiscal shield for our clients during times of rising interest rates.”

“Upgrading heating, ventilation, and energy management systems at Northern Elementary School is a smart investment,” said Lincoln Town Administrator Philip Gould. “By working with the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank and leveraging the Clean Energy Fund and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund, we are able to execute these comprehensive improvements in a cost-effective manner that will save taxpayer dollars in the long run through energy cost savings. We thank the Infrastructure Bank for their continued partnership in helping us make our town’s public school buildings more energy efficient.”

“Providing safe, modern, and energy-efficient school facilities is essential to supporting learning and student well-being across Rhode Island,” said Mario Carreño, Chief Operating Officer of the Rhode Island School Building Authority. “Projects like this one at Northern Elementary demonstrate the power of state and local collaboration to transform schools into energy-efficient learning environments.”

The Northern Elementary School project includes energy-efficient HVAC and building systems replacements, including high-performance condensing boilers, unit ventilator retrofits with electronically commutated motors, heat timer controls, heat pump water heaters, kitchen hood exhaust controls, hot water pump retrofits, a gymnasium air handling unit retrofit, lighting occupancy and photocell sensors, and a building-wide energy management control system. upgrades. The implemented energy conservation measures are estimated to generate annual energy savings of 78,000 kWh and 3,750 therms.

This financing builds on the Infrastructure Bank’s ongoing collaboration with the Town of Lincoln to improve energy efficiency across its public school buildings, helping the district accelerate school facility improvements while lowering operational energy costs and debt service.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, the state’s central hub for financing infrastructure improvements for municipalities, businesses, and homeowners, has closed on a $45 million Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan to the Town of Westerly. This loan represents the first phase of an $85 million project to modernize and upgrade the town’s wastewater treatment infrastructure.

The comprehensive project includes extensive rehabilitation and new installations at the Westerly Wastewater Treatment Facility. Key improvements in Phase I include the rehabilitation of the headworks building and odor control system, primary and secondary clarifiers, and existing aeration tanks. The project also features the installation of a new influent wet weather bypass pipe, two new aeration tanks, a carbon addition system, and new buildings for water treatment materials storage. Additional work will encompass electrical and instrumentation improvements, including new switchgear and nutrient pump stations.

“Wastewater infrastructure is something that people often take for granted, but it is essential to our communities, and to protecting public health and the environment” said William Fazioli, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. “This $45 million Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan provides Westerly with the low-cost financing needed to undertake these critical wastewater treatment system upgrades. By securing a 20-year loan with a 2.85% interest rate through the Infrastructure Bank, Westerly ratepayers will save more than $6 million in interest payments compared to a market-rate loan. This is a vivid example of the Infrastructure Bank’s financial model providing direct relief to our clients during a time of rising interest rates. We are pleased to partner with the town on the first phase of a project that will ensure their wastewater system remains efficient and reliable for decades to come.”

“Westerly is committed to investing in the basic wastewater infrastructure our residents and businesses rely on every day,” said Westerly Town Manager Shawn Lacey. “These upgrades are essential for our community’s long-term health and growth, and to protecting our environment. This first phase of modernization at our wastewater treatment facility is a big undertaking. We thank the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank for providing the financing to move this project forward, and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for helping us navigate the regulatory permitting process.”

“The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is proud to partner with the Infrastructure Bank and the Town of Westerly on this critical investment,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “This project will strengthen the reliability, resilience, and performance of a vital public service while protecting the health of the surrounding environment. Modernizing Westerly’s treatment facility will ensure the Town has the infrastructure needed to meet both current and future wastewater treatment demands, while advancing efforts to improve water quality and protect Rhode Island’s valuable natural resources.”