Project Funding
As of 2024 the construction of the new treatment plant will cost $293,281,700,
with Design / Engineering / Permitting / Contingency costs of $70,449,471.
“Today, we celebrate yet another water infrastructure project that highlights the commitment of federal, state, and local government to invest in the sustainability and resiliency of our region’s infrastructure.”
— Congressman Richard Neal (MA-1)
— New West Parish WTP Groundbreaking, October 16, 2024
Funding Sources
Construction of upgrades and improvements to the West Parish Water Treatment Plant were partially financed by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The DWSRF program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection with Joint Funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Massachusetts.​
In fall 2021 the Commission announced it received a $250 million low-interest loan from the highly competitive U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program.
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​​​WIFIA Program financing will advance construction of the treatment plant on an accelerated schedule. The Commission’s $250 million loan saves ratepayers approximately $60 million in borrowing costs over the next 30 years.
Matching funds for the WIFIA Program are being financed in part by the state’s competitive Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), which provides low-interest loans for drinking water projects. In 2022 the Commission received a $4.96 million grant in the form of loan forgiveness for Phase 1 of this project (Backwash Facility) from the Clean Water Trust.
In 2024, the Commission also received $4.6 million grant in Congressionally Directed Spending for the new water treatment plant, secured by U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey and US. Senator Elizabeth Warren.
(From left to right) Executive Director Josh Schimmel, Acting EPA Region 1 Administrator Deborah Szaro, Congressman Richard Neal (MA-1), EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Commissioner Vanessa Otero (SWSC), MA DEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg, Commissioner Daniel Rodriguez (SWSC), Commissioner William Leonard (SWSC), and Agawam Mayor William Sapelli appear at a funding announcement at the site of the Connecticut River Crossing Project on Bondi’s Island, September 16, 2021.
(From left to right) Mark Johnson (SWSC), Darleen Buttrick (SWSC), U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Commissioner Matthew Donnellan, State Representative Orlando Ramos, Commissioner Vanessa Otero (SWSC), Congressman Richard Neal (MA-1), Executive Director Josh Schimmel, Deputy Regional Administrator for EPA New England Karen McGuire, State Representative Carlos Gonzalez, MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple, and Jim Laurila (SWSC) appear at the groundbreaking celebration at the site of the new West Parish Water Treatment Plant in Westfield, October 16, 2024. The “dirt” they are shoveling is actually sand from the 100-year-old underground slow sand filters, which will be demolished to make way for the new plant.
More about the WIFIA Program financing and other Commission projects.
Planned water and sewer improvement projects and their locations