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Local Pipeline Assistance Program (LPAP)
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

 

MORE INFORMATION

LPAP Contacts
LPAP map and contact information
Community Support Program page

LPAP map and contact information

Program Guidelines (PDF)

Allocation and Funding Utilization by Community (PDF)
LPAP Financial Assistance Application (PDF)

What are the problems associated with aging pipes?

Rust buildup on the interior walls of local and MWRA pipes can degrade water quality and constrict the flow of water to consumers. For more information about improvements to MWRA-owned pipes visit: MWRA Distribution Pipeline Improvements
List of MWRA member communities

MWRA’s Local Pipeline Assistance Program
("LPAP") provides $256 million in interest-free loans to MWRA water communities to perform local water main rehabilitation projects. Funds are approved for distribution through Fiscal Year 2013.

ELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS INCLUDE:

  • water main cleaning/lining
  • replacement of unlined water pipes
  • looping of dead-end mains
  • replacement of lead service lines
  • engineering design
  • engineering services during construction

PROGRAM BENEFITS

The program goal is to aid communities in improving local water system distribution pipeline conditions to better maintain water quality and ensure the use of appropriate distribution system best management practices. This program is a critical component of MWRA’s Integrated Water Supply Improvement Program. It continues the effort of the two-year, $30 million "pilot" program that provided grants and loans for local distribution system rehabilitation projects during FY98 and FY99.

LPAP funds are allocated to member communities based on their percent share of unlined water pipe. MWRA partially supplied communities receive prorated shares based on their percentage use of MWRA water. Interest-free loans are repaid to MWRA over a ten-year period beginning one year after distribution of the funds.

Communities that complete rehabilitation of their unlined pipe during the 13-year program period are permitted to use remaining funds for other water quality improvements (e.g. replacement of lead services, looping of dead ends, water tank maintenance, etc.). Over the first eight years of the program, $135 million has been distributed to fund 165 projects that have resulted in over 205 miles of local water pipeline rehabilitation.

To qualify for MWRA LPAP funds, a community must demonstrate that it has met or is in the process of meeting certain distribution system best management practices. Included in these practices are the following baseline requirements:

  • Unidirectional Flushing Program Implementation;
  • Distribution System Improvement Plan;
  • Water Quality Testing Improvements; and,
  • Cross Connection Control Program Development.

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Updated October 31, 2008