Over $1.3 million Awarded to Improve Small Water System Capacity and Resiliency
January 21, 2026 (Burlington, VT) -- Today, the Vermont Bond Bank (Bond Bank) announced $1.36 million in awards as part of the Small System Capacity and Resiliency Program (SCRP). The awards will help 12 small water systems in 9 different counties across Vermont make urgent infrastructure repairs, reduce the risk of failure, and improve sustainability.
The awards support small water systems in making urgent infrastructure fixes—such as replacing generators, repairing distribution lines, upgrading reservoirs, and improving pump stations. They also fund projects that enhance long‑term capacity and resiliency, including source exploration, water main engineering, treatment facility construction, and water tank improvements.
“The Bond Bank is excited to announce the latest round of SCRP awards,” said Michael Gaughan, the Bond Bank’s Executive Director. “They will help communities across Vermont address critical issues and improve the quality, cost, and reliability of their drinking water.”
The solicitation and review of applications was led by the Bond Bank’s Senior Loan Officer, Ken Linge. SCRP was created with a State of Vermont American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant in collaboration with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
This round of grants builds on prior activity in the program that included $4 million in loans and approximately $1 million in grants. This latest second round of grants will bring the total number of small water systems served by the program to 19.
SCRP Tier 2 Round 2 Awardees
Water System: Peacham Fire District #1
Projects: Generator, source exploration, and well
Award: $160,145
Water System: Plainfield Town
Projects: Water line and well pit
Award: $197,000
Water System: Marshfield Village
Projects: Reservoir upgrades and misc. repairs
Award: $64,947
Water System: Westford Fire District #1
Projects: Hillside Lane repairs
Award: $78,000
Water System: Craftsbury Fire District #2
Projects: Pump house roof replacement
Award: $23,040
Water System: Wells River Village
Projects: Treatment facility construction
Award: $250,000
Water System: Canaan Fire District #2
Projects: Water main replacement engineering
Award: $166,270
Water System: Newbury Village
Projects: Resurfacing water tank
Award: $42,500
Water System: Rutland Fire District #4
Projects: Distribution line leak repairs
Award: $192,452
Water System: Jericho Fire District #1
Projects: Booster pump station repairs
Award: $24,045
Water System: Johnson Village
Projects: Generator installation
Award: $104,857
Water System: Arlington Town
Projects: Generator replacement and heat pump
Award: $53,985
About the Vermont Bond Bank
Created in 1969 as the nation’s first state bond bank, the Bond Bank helps finance and implement crucial municipal infrastructure at lower costs to communities by providing access to more affordable capital. The Bond Bank does this by overcoming gaps in information, scale, and credit to allow cities, towns, villages, school districts, and other forms of government achieve equitable access to capital.
This market specialization also helps with expertise in recognizing emerging needs like flood relief and managing federal requirements for faster and easier access to capital. In addition to facilities and infrastructure lending, the Bond Bank also provides post disaster bridge loans and is the financial administrator of the State of Vermont Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds.
Contact: ken@vtbondagency.org
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