Moulton Secures Over $27 Million In FEMA Grants For Massachusetts

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $27 millionin federal grants to protect critical infrastructure in Ipswich and Salem. The funding will be used to relocate vulnerable sewer systems that are currently at high risk of failure due to rising sea levels and extreme weather.

In Ipswich, Moulton secured $15,000,000for the Town Wharf Sewer Pump Station Relocation and Flood Mitigation Project. The current infrastructure sits in a flood-prone area adjacent to state-conserved wetlands, where it faces repeated threats of inundation and service failure during coastal surges. This grant will fund the relocation of the station out of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), replacing vulnerable components with a modern, flood-resistant system that prevents the discharge of untreated wastewater into sensitive ecological zones.

In Salem, Moulton secured $12,149,794.80for the relocation of the Willow Avenue Sewer Pipeline. This project involves removing an aging, 24-inch cast iron sewer main that currently sits on wooden piles within the harbor's tidal zone, a site Moulton has been focused on since he visited in 2022 to advocate for federal intervention. The funding will allow the city to move the utility inland and bury it beneath city streets, protecting the harbor from potential sewage leaks caused by storm debris and ensuring continued service for over 1,200 local homes.

"We need real, permanent solutions for our district that will protect our coastline and community for generations to come," said Congressman Moulton. "This federal funding will go beyond just some new pipes and pumps. It will help protect our harbors, keep our water clean, and ensure one single storm doesn't result in a public health emergency because of vulnerable infrastructure."

"The Willow Avenue sewer pipe has been a long-standing hazard to our community," said Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. "While the City has taken steps in the last few years to improve the integrity of the pipe, the fact that a major sewer pipe, moving up to 2 million gallons of untreated sewage every day, crosses our harbor on the surface creates an unavoidable risk. This grant will enable us to relocate the 118-year-old pipe out of the harbor, eliminating that risk. I'm enormously grateful to Congressman Moulton, Senator Warren, and Senator Markey for their advocacy and support for this project funding."

"As a coastal community, the Town of Ipswich must reposition its most vulnerable infrastructure to continue service to ratepayers and be responsible stewards of our coastal region," said Select Board Chair, Charles D. Surpitski. "We are thrilled to receive this $15,000,000 FEMA grant with the assistance of Congressman Seth Moulton. This funding makes this critical project possible, as it would have been financially out of reach for Ipswich sewer ratepayers. I would like to personally thank all town staff that have put so much time and effort into making this project a reality. The commitment from the entire team has been outstanding."

###