Drinking Water Program Economic Recovery Information

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, (also called the ARRA or the Economic Recovery Plan) will enable the Maine Drinking Water Program to help create new construction jobs to work on the overwhelming drinking water needs throughout the State of Maine. Such needs include the following projects:

Installing drinking water treatment systems;
Replacing old and decaying water mains and pipes (some of which are as old as 100 years); and
Building/repairing pump stations, wells and storage facilities.

These improvements are necessary for public water systems to continue providing enough safe drinking water to Maine people. Recovery funds will be added to funds from other sources already committed for drinking water improvement projects. The Drinking Water Program will administer a total of $38 million to qualifying public water systems as low-interest loans and grants through the State Revolving Fund. These funds will be a positive step toward addressing more than $111 million worth of identified drinking water needs.

Where is the money going?

Project Status

2009 ARRA Drinking Water Infrastructure Summary PDF file

Section 1511 Certification under the 2009 ARRA PDF file

How did the Drinking Water Program decide which public water systems will receive money?

The Drinking Water Program based its decision for funding on two main criteria:

Is the project based on protecting public health?; and
Is the project ready to proceed?

Public Water System Information Guidance

2009 Intended Use Plan

Public Comment and Response

Public Water System Information Guide

Primary Projects List

Backup Projects List

Attachment A

Financial Requirements Memo from Maine Municipal Bond Bank (pdf)

Maine Public Utilities Commission Requirements

Updated Funding Agency Signs

PDF format

MS PowerPoint format

Project Review

Supplemental General Conditions

Project Specifications Checklist

Environmental Review Information

Environmental Review Guidance

Environmental Review Contact List

Guidance on Davis-Bacon Wage Requirements

Contractor's Guide to Davis-Bacon Wage Requirements (pdf)

State, Tribe and Local Agency Guide to Davis-Bacon Wage Requirements (pdf)

Link to Davis-Bacon wage determination

Green Reserve Guidance