Bill to provide stable funding for vital wastewater infrastructure sent to governor

A bill from Sen. Eloise Vitelli, D-Arrowsic, to ensure a stable funding source for vital water and wastewater infrastructure upkeep and upgrades was enacted by the Maine Senate on Tuesday in a unanimous vote.

“The infrastructure crisis we’re facing in Maine is mostly hidden underground, but that doesn’t make it any less real or less serious,” said Sen. Vitelli. “Ensuring that water and wastewater systems have the sustainable funding they need to stay functional, up-to-date, and well-managed is essential to ensure our environment is protected and that Mainers have access to clean water.”

The bill — LD 347 “An Act To Provide Sustainable Funding for Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure” — would utilize 30 percent of remaining funds from the Liquor Operation Revenue Fund, after all liquor operation revenue bonds and any ancillary obligations secured by the fund have been taken care of, to provide a stable funding for investments in water and wastewater infrastructure. Under current law, a maximum of 15 percent of these funds could be used for this purpose. Additionally, LD 347 allows funds from the State Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Fund and the Maine Clean Water Fund to be used to provide assistance for capital investment in private and commercial wastewater systems.

More than $1 billion currently is needed for wastewater infrastructure upgrades and repairs in Maine. This number will only climb as water districts, particularly in coastal areas, work to prepare for the impacts of climate change. Additionally, rural areas that have lost much of their tax base in recent years due to mill closures do not have a customer base that can finance projects through rate increases alone. The funds available through LD 347 are a vital need for these areas.

While LD 347 initially had been introduced by Rep. Jen DeChant, D-Bath, Sen. Vitelli is steering the bill now, following Rep. DeChant’s resignation earlier this year.

LD 347 now has been sent to Gov. Janet Mills, who has 10 days to sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature.