PORTLAND,
Maine --More than three-quarters of major industrial and municipal
facilities across Maine discharged more pollution into waterways than
allowed by their Clean Water Act permits, according to a report issued
Thursday.
Environment Maine Research & Policy Center analyzed
compliance data from July 2003 through December 2004 that was obtained
from the Environmental Protection Agency by the U.S. Public Interest
Research Group using the Freedom of Information Act.
All
told, 87 facilities in Maine exceeded the amount of waste discharges
under their permits more than 460 times during the 18-month period,
giving Maine a ranking of 22nd in the country, said Matthew Davis of
Environment Maine.
"Clean
water is essential to our quality of life and our economy," he said.
"We need to place a higher value on our essential infrastructure that
keeps our waters clean -- clearly our wastewater treatment plants need
funding to stay on track."
Davis
called on legislative leaders and the governor to prioritize grant and
loan funding for wastewater improvements in the current discussion
about the budget and bonds.
The
state needs to commit at least $1 million to secure the $5 million of
federal match in Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loans, and many towns
are waiting to get loans before they can start projects, Davis said.
Deb
Garrett of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection agreed that
more needs to be done to improve wastewater treatment facilities.
"We
have an incredible construction backlog for wastewater improvements,"
she said. "Many of them are well beyond their design life."
The
state needs $279 million for wastewater plant improvements over the
next five years to meet existing water quality standards, said David
Littel, commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental
Protection.
