Section 1452 of the safe drinking water act (sdwa) authorizes the state to utilize funds to further the health protection objectives of sdwa

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded an $8.4 million Formula Grant to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program (CFDA #66.468) for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2029. The grant will capitalize Maine's DWSRF to provide low-interest financing to public water systems for drinking water infrastructure projects that protect public health. Specifically, the majority of funds will be used as loans and other assistance to multiple water systems for eligible projects like improving drinking water treatment, repairing water distribution pipes and storage tanks. Some funding may also support set-asides for technical assistance to small systems, as well as program administration and management. Two sub-awards totaling $400k were provided to the Kennebec Water District for infrastructure improvements. Overall, the grant aims to increase the technical, financial and management capacity of public water suppliers and ensure a cleaner, safer drinking water supply statewide.

This agreement will provide funds to capitalize the recipient's drinking water state revolving fund (dwsrf) to provide low interest financing for costs associated with the planning, design and construction of eligible drinking water improvement projects and activities to protect human health. As part of this agreement, the recipient ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, which are designed to protect public health.activities:the bulk of the SRF will be used for loans and other authorized assistance to public water systems for eligible projects, including improving drinking water treatment, fixing leaky or old pipes (water distribution), improving source of water supply, replacing or constructing finished water storage tanks, and other infrastructure projects needed to protect public health. The recipient may also use some of the funding for specific 'set-asides' to provide technical assistance to small systems, program administration, state program management and other allowable uses. Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the benefits of this grant will be to capitalize the recipient's dwsrf. The fund can then be used to increase technical, financial and managerial capacity of public water systems, and provide assurance of a cleaner and safer potable water supply by funding improvements to multiple water infrastructure projects. These public health benefits will be statewide.