Congresswoman Lori Trahan Thursday said she backed the bipartisan 2026 Water Resources Development Act that, if all other pieces fall into place, could provide Haverhill $50 million toward water and sewer projects.
The House action follows an amendment vote in July, supported by Trahan and 6th District Congressman Seth Moulton to increase federal aid Haverhill could receive from $40 to $50 million. As Moulton pointed out earlier, a future appropriations bill would also be required before the city can draw on the money. Aid could be used to tackle the estimated $26 million cost of replacing a failed force main sewer, that caused millions of gallons of untreated sewage to flow for a few days into the Merrimack River..
“For too long, Washington has passed the buck on costly water upgrades to communities like ours that can’t afford them. The result is decades of delay while sewage spills into our rivers every heavy storm. Families deserve better,” said Trahan. “This authorization puts real support within reach for our gateway cities. I look forward to partnering with our local, state and federal leaders to turn this authorization into real dollars for our communities.”
Trahan explained the legislation, renewal of the Water Resources Development Act, authorized $180 million in federal funding for communities in the 3rd District, including $90 million split equally among Fitchburg, Lawrence and Methuen, plus $90 million for Lowell and Haverhill. Compared to 2024 levels, her office adds, Haverhill’s potential maximum aid would increase from $30 million to $50 million while Lowell’s authorization would increase $30 million to $40 million.
Trahan noted, following Haverhill’s sewer main failure, she partnered with Sens. Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren to also introduce the Water Emergency and Technical Assistance Act to authorize emergency assistance and grants during clean water and drinking water infrastructure crises.
The 2026 Water Resources Development Act now moves to the Senate. Once law, the congresswoman explained, community authorizations will be eligible for through the congressional appropriations process.