Funding for clean water in Rhode Island

PASSED: Magaziner funding requests for $2 million in community water management projects in RI

Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) announced the House passage of federal funding that Magaziner requested for two community projects across Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional district totaling $1,919,504 in the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. 

“My number one priority is to deliver results for Rhode Islanders, and I am proud to announce the House passage of two community projects that will benefit working people across the state,” said Representative Seth Magaziner. “These projects will ensure clean drinking water, reduce pollutants entering waterways, and increase water quality for residents in Johnston and West Warwick.” 

The following projects passed the House and will now be considered in the Senate for final passage before being signed into law by the President.

1.  $959,752 to manage, reduce, and recapture stormwater in the Town of Johnston. 

2. $959,752 to inspect, test, and clean sewer interceptors located within the Town of West Warwick to correct deficiencies within the collection system to prevent catastrophic failure and prevent sewage overflows entering the Pawtuxet River. 

“The Town of Johnston is grateful for Congressman Magaziner securing funding to assist the Town in managing, reducing, and recapturing stormwater,” said Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. 

“Recently, Johnston faced massive levels of flooding, which severely impacted our homes, parks, and roadways. Johnston residents deserve their voices to be heard, and we are thankful for this opportunity presented to us by Congressman Magaziner and his office."

“The management team and users of the West Warwick Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility thank Rep. Magaziner for requesting this federal funding that will allow us to address pressing maintenance needs within our aging infrastructure that will ultimately benefit the health of our communities – including residents from West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick, Cranston and Scituate — as well as the Pawtuxet River,” said Mark Knott (Col. Ret.), Town Manager/Director of Public Safety for West Warwick. 

Magaziner noted that the bill also included several unrelated provisions authored by House Republicans to reduce agency funding that he disagrees with. 

While the inclusion of those provisions compelled Magaziner to vote against the bill in its current form, he is pleased that his request for funding these Rhode Island projects was included in the legislation.