LSLR Financing Case Study: Quincy, MA
Funding sources: Rate revenue, local loan program
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is providing $100 million in interest-free loans to its member water communities to fully replace lead service lines. MWRA has a total of 50 water communities, of which 45 will be eligible for financial assistance under the Lead Service Line Replacement Loan Program. The funds will be paid back to MWRA by communities over 10 years at zero interest.
The City of Quincy, MA, a member of MWRA, received a $1.5 million loan in December 2016 to fund its program targeting the removal of 141 identified public/private lead services. Quincy is paying the full cost of both public and private lead service line replacement and paying back the loan with rate revenue. It is expected that rates will increase approximately $6 per year over 10 years to eliminate LSLs from their distribution system.