Legislature should let voters decide whether to tap federal dollars for water projects

Maine voters have long taken pride in protecting the water quality of our lakes, rivers, streams, and coastal areas. This foresight has protected these treasured resources and also ensured our citizens have safe public drinking water.

Passage of LD 2169 will allow voters to decide whether they want to continue supporting these efforts. We hope that the Legislature will allow the voters to be heard.

In 2005, the American Society of Civil Engineers prepared a report card on America’s infrastructure. The nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure each received a grade of D-. In 2009, Maine faces an estimated cost between $40 and $50 million in needed water and wastewater infrastructure projects. These projects are required to simply maintain regulatory compliance with the federally mandated Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972 spurred the construction of wastewater treatment plants throughout the state. Their construction in the 1970s immediately led to cleaner lakes, rivers, streams, and coastal areas. But now these plants are nearing the end of the useful lives and require upgrades. Additionally, the network of pipes collecting the sanitary waste often date back to over 100 years in age and many towns and cities and still working to separate combined storm drains and sewer systems (CSOs).

The Safe Drinking Water Act was passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply. Over the years the act has been amended and modified to address public health threats from new and emerging contaminants. Many Maine communities have made significant investments in their source of supply, treatment facilities, and other important infrastructure to keep pace with the requirements. As new threats emerge, more work will be required.

How can communities fund all these projects? Fortunately, under both the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act, Congress established State Revolving Loan Fund programs, which are financed with federal grants. The SRF programs ensure a 5-to-1 federal-to-state match such that Maine would receive $5 for every $1 put forth. To secure the federal grant money, Maine has historically raised its 20 percent state match through a bond issue approved by voters.

In June 2007 voters approved a bond referendum which provided the state match for the 2007 and 2008 SRF grants, but did not include funding for 2009. As a result there is no match to secure $17 million in federal funds from the 2009 grants.

That is why we are asking the Legislature to support LD 2169, “An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue for Drinking Water Management.” It is important to note that passage of LD 2169 does not secure the state SRF match, but it allows voters to decide in November whether they want to continue supporting these needed projects.

The voters can decide whether they want to authorize a $3.4 million bond to secure $17 million in federal funds.

In these very trying economic times, the $5 federal match for every $1 of state funds is a deal Maine can ill-afford to pass up. The infusion of $20 million – of mostly federal funds – will create jobs in Maine communities for contractors and other associated businesses. The economic impact will be a breath of fresh air, not only in the individual communities but throughout the state as well.

The Legislature is deliberating the merits of this legislation and will decide its fate. Ultimately, however, it comes down to just one decision: send it to the voters – or not.

Maine residents expect their water to be safe to drink. They also expect wastewater to be adequately treated before it is discharged into the rivers, streams, and coastal areas that we all treasure dearly in this state.

We strongly encourage the Legislature to approve LD 2169, and send the question to voters in November.

John Storer is assistant superintendent of the Auburn Water and Sewerage District, and vice president of the Maine Water Utilities Association. Chuck Applebee is wastewater and public works director for the city of Gardiner and president of the Maine Wastewater Control Association.