Stonington -- The town has received almost $2.7 million in federal funding for two water and sewer projects in Pawcatuck.

The money was part of the 2022 Omnibus Appropriations bill which President Joe Biden signed on March 15 and was put forward by U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy.

It includes $1,952,130 that will partially fund a project that will link two dead-end water lines and create a looped system to improve fire protection in Pawcatuck. The town will have to allocate an additional $900,000 to fully fund the project.

An additional $720,000 was allocated for upgrades to the River Road sewer pumping station in Pawcatuck.

"As soon as we learned about this opportunity, we put together a great team who worked hard and fast to get our applications together. Thanks to an incredible, collaborative effort, we have been able to secure funding for two important projects in our community. It would not have been possible if not for the great partnership between our federal delegation and our amazing team in Stonington -- made up of staff, a resident volunteer, and representatives from our Pawcatuck Fire Department," said First Selectwoman Danielle Chesebrough.

In a statement announcing the funding, Chesebrough said the town identified the need to create the loop water system line in 2018 but the scale and scope of the work remained out of reach due to the funding that was required.

The line will serve a portion of town that includes the police department, high school and numerous businesses and homes, including senior and affordable housing complexes.

Chesebrough said the funding for the River Road pump station, which is the main pumping station for the Pawcatuck sewer plant, will help address critical infrastructure upgrades.