Federal Grant Award Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 awarded the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank a $28.65 million capitalization grant under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program (CFDA 66.468), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2032. This Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)-funded award provides low-interest financing to eligible public water systems for planning, design, and construction of lead service line replacement projects and associated identification and replacement activities. The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank will administer the revolving loan fund as the state-level financial intermediary, providing capital to municipal and public water system borrowers without utilizing subrecipients, as all assistance is extended through loan mechanisms.

The grant furthers Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) public health protection objectives through comprehensive financing and technical support for lead service line infrastructure improvements. Anticipated deliverables include financing, planning, design, and construction of eligible lead service line projects, along with capacity-building activities to enhance the technical, managerial, and financial capabilities of participating public water systems. The intended beneficiaries are Rhode Island citizens and municipalities throughout the state, with the expected outcome being improved public health protection through lead contamination mitigation.