March 27, 2022

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) celebrated $4,289,000 in funding heading to Charlestown to support critical water system improvements. The Senators helped secure federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund. This drinking water project in Charlestown is the first to receive final approval of ARPA infrastructure funding in the state.

“Every Granite Stater deserves access to clean drinking water – I’m thrilled that Charlestown will soon receive essential funding to improve water quality. During negotiations around the American Rescue Plan, I fought to ensure state and local governments had flexibility in funding so they could best respond to the needs on the ground. Responding to critical infrastructure needs, like updating aging water systems, is part of that flexibility,” said Senator Shaheen. “Charlestown is the first of many towns across New Hampshire to receive ARPA funds that I fought for to make our communities stronger coming out of the pandemic.”

“This federal funding to Charlestown will provide a much-needed investment to help ensure that Granite Staters in the community have access to clean drinking water – which is fundamental to the public health,” said Senator Hassan. “Between the American Rescue Plan and the bipartisan infrastructure package that we worked to pass into law, Granite Staters will continue to see critical investments in infrastructure that will strengthen our communities and our economy.”

Specifically, this funding will help address arsenic levels exceeding drinking water standards in the wells serving the North Charlestown Water System (NCWS), as well as construct a booster pump station to address low water pressure in NCWS. The project will improve the quality and reliability of water between NCWS and the Charlestown Water System.

As key negotiators of the American Rescue Plan, Shaheen and Hassan helped secure numerous New Hampshire priorities into law. Senator Shaheen helped lead negotiations in the Senate and with the Biden administration on measures related to assistance for state and local government funding. She also worked to ensure flexibility in this funding so states and municipalities can be effective and efficient with how dollars are spent to best respond to needs on the ground. Since the bill was signed into law, Shaheen’s office has held multiple virtual workshops for municipalities on how these funds can be used. According to data released by the NH Fiscal Policy Institute, an estimated $579.7 million in flexible federal funds were available for the State of New Hampshire to distribute to municipalities that can be used in a variety of ways, thanks to Shaheen’s efforts during negotiations.  

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Originally Appeared Here