Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Maine has received a total of $5,306,000 to support clean, safe drinking water and water infrastructure projects for Maine communities.  This funding will help to ensure Maine’s public water systems are in compliance with federal safe drinking water standards and support upgrades to water infrastructure in Bridgton and Milo.

“Safe, reliable water is vital to ensuring the economic and environmental health of Maine,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We welcome these important investments from USDA and EPA that will improve water infrastructure and ensure Mainers continue to have access to clean, safe drinking water.”

This funding will be allocated as follows:

• Milo Water District received a $1,200,000 grant and a $1,200,000 loan through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Water and Waste Disposal program to upgrade the pump station and the wastewater treatment facility to help improve health and sanitation standards.
• Bridgton Water District received a $600,000 grant and a $1,800,000 loan through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Water and Waste Disposal program to replace existing water mains in the downtown area, address the aging infrastructure, and help the distribution system operate more effectively and efficiently.
• Maine Department of Health and Human Services received $506,000 through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Public Water System Supervision program to help ensure Maine’s public water systems are in compliance with federal safe drinking water standards.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Water and Waste Disposal program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Public Water System Supervision program assists states, territories, and tribes develop and implement a program to adequately enforce the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and ensure that water systems comply with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.