EPA Invests in Making America Healthy Again with Announcement of $1.5 Million to Improve Drinking Water in New England
BOSTON (June 26, 2026) —Today, U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing $1.5 million in grant funding to improve drinking water infrastructure in New England. These grants will help Make America Healthy Again by providing communities with needed resources to make critical drinking water infrastructure upgrades, combat Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), remove sources of lead, and address specific local drinking water challenges.
"Reliable access to clean, safe drinking water is essential for American communities to thrive and a top priority for the Trump EPA," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, Jess Kramer. "Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American is Pillar 1 of Administrator Zeldin's 'Powering the Great American Comeback' Initiative. Small and rural water systems often face disproportionate challenges when it comes to drinking water, and these grants will help them access needed resources to make important water infrastructure investments that will protect Americans from the dangers of PFAS and other harmful contaminants."
"Safe drinking water is fundamental to protecting human health and keeping American families healthy," said EPA Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn. "New England has some of the oldest infrastructure in the country, and this funding will help small and rural communities make critical upgrades to their water systems, address PFAS and other contaminants, and reduce sources of lead. By working closely with our state partners to deliver these resources to communities that need them, EPA is helping to ensure every family has access to safe, reliable drinking water for generations to come."
Approximately $25 million is available nationwide through the Small, Rural, and Tribal (SmaRT) Drinking Water Assistance Program. This grant program was established under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act to help water systems provide clean, safe drinking water. The funding is available to states and territories, who are responsible for administering the grant funds and ensuring that the funds efficiently and effectively reach communities that need assistance with local water infrastructure upgrades or Safe Drinking Water Act compliance.
| State | FY 26 Allocation |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $307,000 |
| Maine | $222,000 |
| Massachusetts | $324,000 |
| New Hampshire | $236,000 |
| Rhode Island | $166,000 |
| Vermont | $199,000 |
More information on this grant program and this year's allotments can be found on the SmaRT website. Tribal allotments for this program will be released separately.
Background:
The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act establishes the SmaRT grant program – formerly known as Small, Underserved, and Disadvantaged Communities (SUDC) – to award funding to states, territories, and tribes to assist public water systems in meeting Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements.