Maine Clean Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan revealed

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has unveiled its final Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Intended Use Plan for the 2013 fiscal year.

The department intends to use federal and state funds to help 18 communities to improve wastewater treatment and water quality. It will make $60m available for publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities and other water quality improvement practices.

Maine governor Paul LePage said that his top priority was to get the state’s fiscal house in order by paying back nearly $490m owed to the state’s hospitals. He called for negotiating a new state wholesale liquor contract, which will provide the revenue to pay off the bond that is being used to pay the hospitals. Revenue from the new liquor contract will also provide a ten-year revenue stream for future state CWSRF matches.

"This new, dedicated revenue stream will help stabilize the program’s funding, ensuring that communities will have the ability to make future improvements and changes to their wastewater facilities. One of the benefits of my administration’s work to get the State’s fiscal house in order is that municipalities can now plan for future wastewater improvements that help protect public health, clean our water and make their communities a more attractive place for businesses to locate," said LePage.

Maine DEP commissioner Patricia Aho said that the department wants all Maine residents to have the opportunity to have sustainable wastewater infrastructure.

"Clean water is tied to our state’s identity, whether forestry, fishing, farming, or outdoor recreational activities, we need clean water to grow our economy and protect our environment and natural resources," Aho said.

Congress requires that 10% of the 2013 capitalisation grant is targeted at green infrastructure or component projects.