Maine Combined Sewer Overflow Grant Program

Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) occur during storm events when a mixture of wastewater and stormwater runoff overflows the combined sewer collection system before receiving treatment at a licensed wastewater treatment facility. These discharges of diluted untreated wastewater violate both State and Federal water pollution laws. Municipalities or Sewer Districts that have CSOs are required to license them with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. License requirements direct these communities to evaluate their CSO problems and determine cost effective solutions to abate them.

In 1990, voters approved a state bond issue for $2.4 million to be used for funding CSO related studies that develop recommendations for solving CSO problems. Grants are awarded for 25% of eligible costs.

Requests for CSO Planning Grants should include the following information:

1) If an engineering consultant is to be used, an engineering contract based on a Department approved scope of work.

2) If municipal/district staff will be involved in activities such as sampling and testing, an estimate of costs for staff time;

3) Costs for equipment needed for the study, such as flow meters, or rain gages.

Design and construction costs associated with CSO remediation may be funded by the State Revolving Loan Fund or, depending on municipal/district financial capability and grant availability, State grant.

Technical assistance and guidance on CSO abatement are provided to communities from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Land & Water Quality, Division of Water Quality Management. For additional information, please contact John True, CSO Coordinator at 287-7808, or at the following address:

Division of Water Quality Management
17 State House Station
Augusta,ME 04333-0017

Maine Combined Sewer Overflow Program

Grants & Loans

Maine Combined Sewer Overflow Grant Program