Infrastructure Bank Closes On $990,000 Fully-Forgiven Loan For Woonsocket To Replace Private-Side Lead Service Lines

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 15, 2026

PROVIDENCE, RI – Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, the state’s central hub for financing infrastructure improvements for municipalities, businesses, and homeowners, in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Health, has closed on a $990,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan with 100% principal forgiveness for the City of Woonsocket. This funding, which effectively acts as a grant, will support the Woonsocket Water Division’s ongoing efforts to identify and replace lead and galvanized water service lines on the private side of the meter at no cost to property owners.

The project includes the replacement of approximately 75 confirmed private lead and galvanized service lines, along with the identification and replacement of additional lines with currently unknown material compositions.

“This $990,000 fully-forgiven loan will allow the Woonsocket Water Division to continue their work replacing lead pipes from residents’ homes and the City’s drinking water system,” said William Fazioli, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. “By providing this funding, we are able to improve public health and modernize drinking water infrastructure without placing a financial burden on the City of Woonsocket or its residents.”

“Providing safe and reliable drinking water is a basic responsibility of the City, and ensuring our system is lead-free is a critical part of that mission,” said Woonsocket Mayor Christopher Beauchamp. “Replacing private-side service lines is often a significant expense for homeowners, but this partnership with the Infrastructure Bank allows us to complete this work at no cost to our residents.”

“Public water systems take many steps to keep drinking water safe from lead, including treatment that reduces corrosion and routine testing. However, collaborations like this to replace lead service lines in Rhode Island are a critical additional step in our work to make Rhode Island’s drinking water as healthy and safe as possible,” said Director of Health Jerry Larkin, MD. “We are thankful to everyone at the local, city, state, and federal levels who are coming together to move this work forward for Woonsocket.”

Funding for this DWSRF loan was provided through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Rhode Island is a national leader in deploying IIJA funding for lead service line replacements in communities across the state.

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About the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank
Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank is Rhode Island’s central hub for financing infrastructure improvements for municipalities, businesses, and homeowners. We leverage capital in a revolving fund to offer innovative financing for an array of infrastructure-based projects including water and wastewater, road and bridge, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and brownfield remediation. These quality-of-life projects improve the State’s infrastructure, create jobs, promote economic development, and enhance the environment. www.riib.org – Facebook: @RIinfrastructure – Twitter: @RI_InfraBank.