Congressman Richard Neal (right) joined Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia (middle) and state Rep. Patricia Duffy (left) to discuss federal funding the city will receive to improve its sewer overflow system.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
HOLYOKE — On Feb. 27, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal joined Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia, state Rep. Patricia Duffy and local officials at the Holyoke Water Pollution Control Facility to announce $800,000 in federal funding for the city’s combined sewer overflow system and sewer separation project.
The funding will be applied to the city’s ongoing combined sewer overflow projects, including consideration for capital improvements in both the wastewater treatment plant and sewer collection system.
Garcia said the plan is to invest in “critical upgrades,” including purchasing a new centrifuge. “This advanced equipment will significantly reduce our power and sludge disposal costs, improve operations at the plant [and] enhance our systems resiliency,” he explained.
The award recognizes the significant financial commitment the city’s ratepayers have already made and will help ease the burden placed on residents, according to the city. Investments supported by this funding will strengthen the city’s infrastructure, ensure compliance with the city’s consent decree, maintain water quality and protect public health.
Garcia added, “Most importantly, it will help us better control CSO [Combined Sewer Overflows] overflows, protecting our environment and community health.”
The allocation was made possible through congressionally-directed spending from the U.S. Environmental Projection Agency and will help support vital upgrades to the city’s wastewater and sewer infrastructure.
Neal included funding for this project in the fiscal year 2026 spending bill.
Garcia thanked Neal for his continued partnership and stated how this funding will help support Holyoke’s ongoing efforts to modernize and improve its wastewater treatment plant and sewer collection system.
“It’s a big step forward for environmental stewardship and public health,” Garcia said. “Today’s announcement of federal funding for our combined sewer overflow system, what we call CSOs, mark an important step forward, not just for our city, but communities downstream of the Connecticut River.”
Neal shared how investments like the one in Holyoke are essential to modernizing aging infrastructure and protecting water quality in the Connecticut River.
He explained, “It’s generally not a topic, as you know, is front and center in everyday conversations, but 100 years ago, the valley was the most prosperous part of America, singularly, the valley, all the way to Hartford, and it was because of the Connecticut River, but the outcome in part was also that as more and more factories located near the valley and the Connecticut river, it lent itself to a lot of discharge, and part of it is wat we’re still dealing with 100 years later.”
Holyoke has shown progress in addressing its sewer and stormwater challenges, according to Neal.
“This is why I am pleased to support the city’s continued work to build a cleaner, healthier future,” he said. “Clean water and reliable infrastructure are fundamental to a strong community, and these investments will help Holyoke continue building the strong, resilient infrastructure that families and businesses deserve and rely on every day.”
Garcia and Neal also thanked U.S. Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren for their support of the funding for this project.
In October 2025, the city of Holyoke and Veolia North America entered into a new 10-year contract to continue to operate Holyoke’s wastewater treatment plant for the city, providing high standards of environmental security and professional operation.
Veolia has served Holyoke since 2005, and the new contract will continue Veolia’s partnership with the city and its DPW through 2035. The organization emphasizes energy recovery, economic development, investment in the existing infrastructure and incentives for Veolia to work with the city to identify new revenue sources.
David Connors, the president for contract operations for Veolia, shared his appreciation for the federal help with the project.
“We’re proud to be the operating partner of the facility in the city,” Connors said. “The needs are critical here, and we’re very thankful that the representatives and congressmen here that have spoken previously have recognized that and happy to be a part of this.”
Following the announcement, Neal joined Garcia and others for a tour of the city’s Pollution Control Facility, located at 1 Berkshire St.
