The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) announced funding for multiple projects for drinking water and wastewater system improvements, totaling more than $17.8 million.
NHDES provided the funding in a combination of grant and loan funds through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), the Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund (DWGT), the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). More information about the projects that have recently been approved is below:
Wastewater Asset Management
One city received grant funding to develop an asset management program, which will be used as a complete community-specific decision-making tool for wastewater collection systems and/or pump stations. The city receiving Wastewater Asset Management Grants is:
- City of Franklin: $30,000 ARPA Grant
Wastewater Planning
Seven municipalities are receiving grant funding for the development of a master plan for the towns’ wastewater facilities, collection systems, or pump stations. Towns receiving Wastewater Planning Grants include:
- City of Rochester: $100,000 ARPA Grant
- Town of Waterville Valley: $100,000 ARPA Grant
- City of Berlin: $100,000 ARPA Grant
- Town of Wolfeboro: $100,000 ARPA Grant
- City of Dover: $100,000 ARPA Grant
- City of Keene: $100,000 ARPA Grant
- Town of Salem: $100,000 ARPA Grant
Clean Water Infrastructure
Four municipalities are receiving Clean Water Infrastructure grant funding to make improvements to clean water infrastructure, including sewers, pipelines, and pump stations. Towns receiving these grants include:
- Town of Ashland: $1,500,000 ARPA Grant, $3,500,000 CWSRF Loan
- Town of Greenville: $150,000 ARPA Grant, Total Project Cost $1,000,000
- City of Rochester: $379,500 ARPA Grant, $885,000 CWSRF Loan
- City of Dover: $900,000 ARPA Grant, $2,100,000 CWSRF Loan
Drinking Water Infrastructure
Two municipalities are receiving grant funding to repair and upgrade drinking water infrastructure to ensure clean water and prevent contaminants, such as lead and arsenic, from entering the water. Recipients of Drinking Water Infrastructure Grants include:
- Tilton-Northfield Water District: $1,950,000 ARPA Grant, $4,550,000 DWSRF Loan
- Rollinsford Water and Sewer District: $302,400 ARPA Grant, $403,200 DWSRF Loan, $302,400 DWGW Trust Fund Grant
Cybersecurity Implementation Grant
Lastly, two municipalities are receiving grant funding to support cybersecurity improvements to drinking water and wastewater systems. Specifically, the grant money is available to develop and implement programs to proactively mitigate the risk of cybersecurity attacks on drinking water and/or wastewater systems. The grant is open to community public water systems serving a minimum of 500 people and municipal wastewater systems.
- Town of Milford: $100,000 ARPA Grant
- City of Claremont: $86,366 ARPA Grant
