Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund Awards 2022 Grants

Funding will support water quality projects in four Cape Cod towns

The Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund Management Board voted June 2, 2022 to award $27,756,431 in subsidies to water quality projects in four Cape Cod towns.

Contingent commitments in the amount of $27,066,125 for 25% subsidies to fund qualified projects listed on the 2022 Clean Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan were awarded to water quality and wastewater projects in the towns of Barnstable, Chatham, Falmouth, and Orleans.

A final commitment for a subsidy in the amount of $690,306 to fund a qualified project listed on the 2021 Clean Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan for which a Project Regulatory Agreement has been executed was awarded to the Town of Barnstable for wastewater pump station improvements.

To date, the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund has awarded nearly $95 million to Cape Cod communities to fund new water quality and wastewater projects and certain pre-existing wastewater debt.

"The creation of the Cape and Islands Water Protection Fund has been critical to preserving one of our most vital natural resources: pristine water," said State Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro). "This forward-thinking fund ensures that the financial burden of water management does not rest solely on the shoulders of local taxpayers but is shared with those who visit our shores and contribute to our water quality challenges. I am encouraged to see the fund continue to successfully support and subsidize the financial needs of our towns' clean water efforts."

“The economic vitality of our region is dependent on advancing wastewater infrastructure and improving water quality,” said Cape Cod Commission Executive Director Kristy Senatori. “This Cape-wide funding source is a critical component in moving these important projects forward.”

Projects eligible for funding include innovative strategies and alternative septic system technologies, water quality and wastewater management planning, the construction of sewer collection systems and wastewater treatment plants, and the implementation of drainage improvements and water treatment programs to improve water quality in freshwater ponds and marine resources. Member communities must go through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program and be consistent with the Area Wide Water Quality Management Plan (208 Plan) to receive funds.

“I am delighted to see that Chatham and Orleans are getting much-deserved funding for either expanding and upgrading sewer systems or to clean up groundwater polluted with nitrogen,” said State Representative Sarah Peake (D-Provincetown).  “The Cape and Islands Water Protection Fund is exceeding expectations with its ability to distribute millions of dollars of revenue to our towns, which has the dual purpose of protecting the environment while taking the burden off of property taxpayers.”

“This is a really exciting moment for our region,” said Management Board Chair Kevin Galligan. “So much is happening to improve water quality, and the region is fortunate to have the incredible support provided by the Water Protection Fund.”

A full list of awards can be found at: www.capecodcommission.org/our-work/cape-cod-and-islands-water-protection-fund.

The Cape Cod Commission will now work with the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust on the administration of subsidy awards.