$14.13 Million for Municipal Water Infrastructure
BOSTON – State Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D-Pittsfield) is pleased to announce more than $14 million in financing and subsidies has been awarded to four projects in Berkshire County targeting infrastructure improvements for major drinking water and waste water projects. These projects, three in Pittsfield and one in Stockbridge, are essential for protecting public health and the environment.Massachusetts awards infrastructure financing under the State Revolving Fund (SRF), which is administered by the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust, a joint effort of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), the Executive Office of Administration and Finance and the State Treasurer’s Office.
“These awards provide much needed financial support to municipalities undertaking these infrastructure projects, keeping our drinking water clean and our waste water safe and properly treated to ensure appropriate public health standards,” said Downing.
The SRF is comprised of two programs: the Clean Water Fund, which has awarded nearly $3.9 billion since 1991; and the Drinking Water Fund, which has awarded more than $975 million in projects since 1999.
The projects listed under SRF program will be eligible for assistance through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, as the Obama Administration is making $133 million available for Clean Water SRF projects and $52 million available for Drinking Water SRF projects.
The Clean Water SRF funds planning and construction projects, such as waste water treatment plants and upgrades to existing sewer systems. The Drinking Water SRF funds the engineering, design and construction of drinking water projects that protect public health and strengthen compliance with state and federal drinking water requirements.
This year the Clean Water SRF list includes 80 projects statewide, totaling more than $744 million. This list identifies $451 million in new projects and $293 million in carry-over projects from prior SRF lists.
The Drinking Water SRF list includes 52 projects statewide, totaling nearly $242 million. This list identifies $112 in new projects and $129 million in carry-over projects from prior SRF lists.
To be eligible for Clean Water or Drinking Water SRF funding, municipalities, waste water districts and water suppliers filed applications with MassDEP last year demonstrating that the proposed projects offer significant public health or drinking water quality benefits. The 127 projects on the awards list must now obtain local funding authorization by August 1, and submit final plans and specifications by August 1 to qualify for Recovery Act “shovel-ready” funding. Projects that fail to qualify for Recovery Act funding will be awarded 2 percent loans and must submit their plans and specifications by October 1.
Investments in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure are critical components of the Governor’s Massachusetts Recovery Plan, which combines state, federal and, where possible, private efforts to provide immediate and long-term relief and position the Commonwealth for recovery in the following ways:
* Deliver immediate relief by investing in the road, bridge and rail projects that put people to work today and providing safety net services that sustain people who are especially vulnerable during an economic crisis;
* Build a better tomorrow through education and infrastructure investments that strengthen our economic competitiveness, prepare workers for the jobs of the future and support clean energy, broadband and technology projects that cut costs while growing the economy; and
* Reform state government by eliminating the pension and ethics loopholes that discredit the work of government and revitalize the transportation networks that have suffered from decades of neglect and inaction.
Local Projects:
Clean Water State Revolving Fund
Community --- Project --- Project Cost
PITTSFIELD --- Waste Water Treatment Plant Improvements - 3 Components --- $6,613,000
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
Community --- Project --- Project Cost
PITTSFIELD --- Water System Improvements – Coltsville --- $1,850,000
PITTSFIELD --- Water System Improvements – SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition, an industrial control system monitoring and controlling a process, such as water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment). --- $1,393,000
STOCKBRIDGE --- Water Storage Tank & Main Street Water Mains --- $4,270,000
