Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that Winter Harbor will receive $1.3 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Rural Development to upgrade the community’s wastewater treatment system. The funds will be allocated as a $390,000 grant and a $910,000 loan.

“Maintaining and upgrading water infrastructure is vital to ensuring the economic and environmental health of the community,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We welcome this important investment for Winter Harbor to improve its wastewater treatment system, which will help stabilize rates for homeowners and businesses, preserve water quality, and protect public health.”

This investment will upgrade the Winter Harbor Utilities District's wastewater treatment facility and pump stations. The project will replace outdated equipment, make improvements at the wastewater treatment facility and install high-efficiency motors at all four of the pump stations. The upgrades will help the Winter Harbor Utilities District meet clean water standards and protect the waters of Henry Cove and the Atlantic Ocean.

These improvements will lower operational costs and maintain rates for system users.  The facility has been in operation for more than 40 years and serves 244 residential and 27 commercial and governmental customers.

Other funding for this project includes a $22,500 Rural Development Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households Grant (SEARCH); a $4.6 million Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal loan and grant combination from fiscal year 2016, and $923,077 from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.