44° and Overcast
Image
Last week, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, and State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg issued a statement regarding a federal funding cut -- for replacing lead pipes.
“The Trump Administration has delayed more than $50 million in federal funding for lead service line replacement in Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Funding local projects is vital to get lead out of our drinking water. Although she noted that Massachusetts has some of the oldest housing stock and water infrastructure in the nation, there are comparatively few known to exist in Medway or Franklin.
Franklin Public Works Director, Robert "Brutus" Cantoreggi, explained that the town Water Department, is being required by EPA to ID water services that might have lead in them. "We have started the requirement already and will continue with the program," he said. The requirement that homeowners might be forced to replace their lines is not until 2037 and whether it is funded, unfunded, or even a mandated is unclear
Water and Sewer Superintendent, Doug Martin, agreed, and noted that the Town is also required by EPA and MassDEP to notify those with galvanized iron service lines (also seen as potentially problematic) on a yearly basis. "Currently, we are still in the investigation phase to identify all the unknown services materials," said Martin. All town data is available on the website here -https://www.franklinma.gov/637/Water-Service-Line-Inventory There is also a live dashboard here - https://townoffranklin.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/27da37178a39424485862dbd8437e68a
Martin said the investigation phase will continue until November 1, 2027 and then will transition into a replacement plan that we will have 10 years to complete. "As Brutus said the funding for both the public and private side of the service line is unclear at this time and there has been no money allocated for that work," noted Martin.
Martin said the money that is being held up by the Trump Administration now goes into the state's SRF funding process, for which the 2025 Draft IUP is out now.
Below is an excerpt from the 2025 Draft IUP on how the money allocated for Lead Service Line Replacements will be used. Franklin received grant funding to set up an inventory and the replacement money is being dedicated to those systems with full lead service lines, which Franklin does not have.
In her statement, State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, said, “The federal funding we use addresses a critical health issue and allows us to invest in vital water infrastructure projects that directly benefit the people who need it most. Providing clean, lead-free drinking water should not be controversial.”
