PROVIDENCE – 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 for fiscal year 2026 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
This $38.8 million allocation represents a 35 percent 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 percent 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.
