New Hampshire Receives $6.1 Million to Update Newport Wastewater Facility
U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan and Representatives Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas applauded $6,164,000 in funding for Newport to upgrade its wastewater treatment facility.
The facility, according to Shaheen's website, serves approximately 2,000 people. The goal is to mitigate pollution via system upgrades that may impact the town and communities downstream along the Sugar River.
This project is funded through the Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA is also providing a $9,999,000 low-interest loan, reported Shaheen's website. Additional funding was awarded through congressionally directed spending and through the American Rescue Plan and the Clean Water State Revolving Loan fund.
“For the thousands of Granite Staters living along the Sugar River, there have been serious health and sanitary concerns stemming from the Newport wastewater treatment facility for a decade. This award puts an end to that by completing a comprehensive system upgrade at the Newport facility. I helped secure this $6.1 million award because I’m committed to improving water quality for every Granite Stater – regardless of zip code,” said Senator Shaheen. “Addressing water pollution across New Hampshire has long been a top priority of mine – that’s why I led key water infrastructure negotiations in the bipartisan infrastructure law. I’ll continue to prioritize resources for rural communities across the state to ensure a healthy environment.”
“Safe, clean water is crucial to quality of life and overall wellbeing, which is why I am glad to announce federal funding to make upgrades to Newport’s waste water treatment facility,” said Senator Hassan. “This is an investment that will mitigate health risks and help the entire town thrive. This type of progress is part of why I worked to pass the American Rescue Plan, and I will continue working to improve essential infrastructure in our local communities.”
Last year, more than $72 million in federal funds for New Hampshire from the EPA to improve the state’s drinking water and wastewater systems. In addition, as a senior member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Shaheen helped secure investments in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for New Hampshire in government funding legislation recently signed into law. Congress provided $1.638 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRFs) and $1.126 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund through the fiscal year 2022 government funding bill.