Clean Water Trust Approves $33 mil for Franklin Sewer Project

Above,  existing section of exposed sanitary sewer in a wetlands area; slated for replacement under the project.

The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust’s Board of Trustees just announced approval if $148,629,356 in new low-interest loans and grants at its meeting on June 7, 2023., and Franklin was one of the major recipients.
The Trust, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), helps communities build or replace water infrastructure that enhances ground and surface water resources, ensures the safety of drinking water, protects public health and develops resilient communities. It accomplishes these objectives by providing low-interest loans and grants to cities, towns and water utilities through the Massachusetts State Revolving Funds (SRFs). The SRF programs are partnerships between the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. SRFs function like an environmental infrastructure bank by financing water infrastructure projects in cities and towns across the Commonwealth.

Franklin secured support for  $33 million at 1.5 percent interest for the Beaver Street Interceptor Rehab & Replacement project and the New Beaver Street Pump Station. This was by far the largest award in this round.

For more information on the   Trust's different loan programs, please visit the Programs page at https://www.mass.gov/programs and for more information on our Loan Forgiveness Program, please visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/the-disadvantaged-community-program#loan-forgiveness-. To learn about past meetings or find project descriptions, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/2023-board-of-trustees-meeting-information.

Since its establishment in 1989, the Trust has loaned nearly $8.1 billion to improve and maintain the quality of water in the Commonwealth.