Infrastructure Bank Awards $2M Grant to Narragansett Bay Commission

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank awarded a $2,011,880 Emerging Contaminants Grant to the Narragansett Bay Commission.

The grant will be used to address Polyfluoroalkyl substances by enhancing NBC’s laboratory capacity. This includes the addition of specialized equipment and instrumentation.

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William Fazioli, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, said that addressing PFAS and other emerging contaminants is a critical priority for protecting Rhode Island's environment and public health. He said that by awarding this $2 million grant, the bank is providing the Narragansett Bay Commission with resources to build sophisticated laboratory capacity.

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Fazioli added that this investment will allow for the precise identification of PFAS sources. This is a necessary first step in developing effective, long-term infrastructure solutions to remove these contaminants from the state's water systems.

Laurie Horridge, Executive Director of the Narragansett Bay Commission, said the NBC is committed to utilizing the latest technology to safeguard the health of the bay. She thanked the Infrastructure Bank for the grant, which she said will allow the NBC to modernize its laboratory with specialized equipment needed to monitor PFAS with high accuracy.

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The grant is part of the Infrastructure Bank’s broader effort to tackle emerging contaminants across Rhode Island. The bank uses federal and state resources to support critical water quality projects. In Fiscal Year 2025, the Infrastructure Bank provided $15.5 million in Emerging Contaminants grants. These grants help communities and quasi-public entities address pressing environmental challenges.

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