What's new
On June 12, voters approved an $18.3 million bond for improving water quality and wastewater infrastructure, capping a successful two-year campaign by Environment Maine and the Maine Wastewater Control Association to get the bonds approved by the Legislature and Gov. Baldacci. Towns such as Machias, Ellsworth and Presque Isle will be able to take advantage of $12 million in grants for wastewater infrastructure, and towns such as Augusta, Bangor, Old Orchard Beach and Westbrook will be able to take advantage of $2.9 million in low-interest loans for wastewater infrastructure. Although the $14.9 million is a start, our state leaders must continue to invest in protecting Maine's coastal waters and improving wastewater systems to tackle the $135 million in needed projects.
How you can help
The legislature, Gov. Baldacci and voters approved $14.9 million to improve wastewater treatment and water quality. This is a much-needed investment to protect our coastal waters which have been threatened by inadequate and failing sewage treatment systems.
Indeed, the need for sewage treatment plant improvements has continued to grow, meanwhile the federal budget for matching funds continues to shrink. Maine's leaders will need to continue funding these projects in the future.
Brief summary
The coast of Maine, with its rocky outcroppings pounded by surf, lobster boats bobbing in the bay, mud flats emerging at low tide, or miles of sandy beaches, is more than memorable—it is a vibrant ecosystem and an economic driver as well as a recreational opportunity to residents and visitors alike.
Unfortunately, up and down Maine's coast, aging wastewater treatment plants have discharged illegally high levels of bacteria and toxins into our coastal waters—threatening the health of swimmers and the health of the age-old livelihoods that depend upon the coast's abundant catch.
Maine has 12 sewage treatment plants the DEP has identified as top priorities: their equipment is either outdated, inadequate or falling apart.
With your help, we can invest in improving and upgrading our aging sewage treatment plants to safeguard the things we treasure most about our coast. The Legislature needs to approve a $15 million state bond, which will leverage $22 million in additional federal funds—enough money to upgrade all 12 facilities.
