This agreement provides funding to maine municipal bond bank

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (Maine DHHS) has received a $23,160,500 Formula Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (CFDA 66.468) program. This 7-year grant, effective July 1, 2023, will capitalize Maine's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) to support water infrastructure projects across the state.

The bulk of the DWSRF funding will be used to provide low-interest loans and other authorized assistance to public water systems for eligible projects. This includes improving drinking water treatment, water distribution, source water supply, finished water storage, and other infrastructure needed to protect public health. Maine DHHS may also use a portion of the grant funds for technical assistance to small water systems, program administration, and state program management activities. Additionally, the grant includes sub-awards to support source water protection, water system asset security, capacity development, and system consolidation initiatives.

Section 1452 of the safe drinking water act (sdwa) and infrastructure investment and jobs act (IIJA) PL 117-58 authorizes the state to utilize funds to further the health protection objectives of sdwa. This agreement will provide funds to capitalize the recipient's drinking water state revolving fund (dwsrf). As part of this agreement, the state ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, which are designed to protect public health. Activities:the bulk of the state revolving fund (SRF) will be used for loans and other authorized assistance to public water systems for eligible projects, including improving drinking water treatment, 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:these subawards are funded under the dwsrf set-asides and include source water protection grants, water system asset security grants, capacity development grants, and system consolidation grants.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.