This agreement provides a capitalization grant for the recipient's drinking water state revolving fund (dwsrf) program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 1, awarded $13.09 million in formula grant funding to the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank on October 1, 2025, through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program (CFDA 66.468). The award capitalizes Rhode Island's drinking water revolving loan fund, which will provide low-interest financing to eligible public water systems throughout the state for planning, design, and construction of drinking water infrastructure improvements. This capitalization grant advances the public health protection objectives of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) by enabling the state to offer affordable, long-term financing mechanisms to water systems for critical infrastructure projects.

In addition to primary loan financing activities, the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank may allocate a portion of these funds to specific set-asides supporting technical assistance to small water systems, operator certification activities, and source water protection initiatives. The anticipated deliverables include financing and construction of eligible public health-related projects, with expected outcomes focused on increasing the technical, managerial, and financial capacity of public water systems and ensuring protection of public health for Rhode Island citizens. The award period extends through September 30, 2032.

The award furthers the public health protection objectives of the safe drinking water act (sdwa). Activities:the recipient of these funds will provide low interest rate financing to eligible public water systems for the costs associated with the planning, design, and construction of eligible drinking water improvement projects. The recipient may also use some of the funding for specific set-asides, including but not limited to providing technical assistance to small systems, for operator certification activities, and source water protection activities. Subrecipient:n/a - all SRF assistance will be provided as loansoutcomes:the anticipated deliverables include financing, planning, design, and construction of eligible public health-related projects. Deliverables will also be used to increase the technical, managerial, and financial capacity of public water systems. The expected outcome is public health protection. The intended beneficiaries include citizens throughout the state.