Financial Resources

The Drinking Water Program has a number of funding programs available to public water systems. Click on the links below for more information about each funding program available.

• State Revolving Fund - Low interest loans to community or non-profit, non-community public water systems for infrastructure improvements.
• Very Small System Compliance Loan Fund - 100% principal forgiveness loans for water treatment improvements required to achieve compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act standards (excluding Total Coliform Rule).

  Eligibility
  Community systems (except those regulated by the Public Utilities Commission) with a population of 100 or less, and all not-for-profit, non-transient, non-community public water systems
  Description
  This loan program provides 100 percent principal forgiveness (or grant amount) for water treatment improvements required to achieve compliance with a current or future standard of the Safe Drinking Water Act, excluding Total Coliform Rule
  Funds Available
  Up to $50,000 per project
  Contact
  Norm Lamie, (207) 287-2647
  Resources
  2011 Very Small System Compliance Loan Fund Aplication

• Capacity Development Grants - Grant money available to public water systems to enhance system capacity.

  Eligibility
  Community and non-profit, non-community public water systems.
  Description
  Grants are for Capacity Development assistance. Systems can receive grants for the preparation of documents that will assist them in the maintenance or enhancement of water quality by identifying possible improvements in systems technical, financial and managerial operations (capacity development).
  Funds Available
  Up to 50% of the project costs up to a maximum reimbursement of $10,000. A few grants are available up to $15,000 for documents that clearly demonstrate a need for the higher grant amount.
  Contact
  Sara Flanagan, (207) 287-5678
  Resources
  Capacity Development Grant Application
  Grant Project Extension Request Form

• System Consolidation Grants - Partial funding (grant money) available to water systems for the purpose of consolidation with another water system.

  Eligibility
  Community and non-profit, non-community public water systems with a technical, managerial, or financial capacity issue that will be addressed by the consolidation with the more viable public water system.
  Description
  Water systems with a technical, managerial or financial capacity issue can receive partial funding to consolidate with a more viable public water system to enhance system capacity and de-regulate an existing public water system
  Funds Available
  No more than 50% of the cost of the water system consolidation for For-Profit water systems
  No more than 75% of the cost of the water system consolidation for Non-Profit water systems.
  Grants may not exceed $100,000
  Contact
  Nate Saunders, (207) 287-5685
  Resources
  System Consolidation Grant Application

• Land Acquisition Loans - Low interest loans to community or non-profit, non-community public water systems for purchase or legal control of drinking water source protection areas.

  Eligibility
  Community and non-profit, non-community public water systems
  Description
  Low interest loans for the purchase of land and/or conservation easements needed for source water protection
  Funds Available
  No project limit, based on available funds at time of loan application
  Contact
  Erika Bonenfant, (207) 287-5681
  Resources
  Land Acquisition Loan Application (pdf file)
  

• Source Water Protection Grant Program - Grants to community or non-profit, non-community public water systems using surface water to protect public drinking water sources.

  Eligibility
  Community and non-profit, non-community public water systems with surface water source(s)
  Description
  Awarded for projects that clearly reduce the likelihood of contamination occurring in the Source Water Protection area by existing or future activities
  Funds Available
  $5,000 per gramt
  A few $10,000 grants may be awarded for exceptional projects that demonstrate an on-going commitment to source water protection.
  Contact
  Erika Bonenfant, (207) 287-5681
  Resources
  Source Water Protection Grant Application (pdf file)
  Grant Project Extension Request Form (pdf file)

• Wellhead Protection Grant Program - Grants to community or non-profit, non-community public water systems using groundwater to protect public drinking water sources.

  Eligibility
  Community and non-profit, non-community public water systems with groundwater source(s)
  Description
  Awarded for projects that clearly reduce the likelihood of contamination occurring in the Wellhead Protection area by existing or future activities
  Funds Available
  $5,000 per grant
  A few $10,000 grants may be awarded for exceptional projects that demonstrate an on-going commitment to source water protection.
  Contact
  Erika Bonenfant, (207) 287-5681
  Resources
  Wellhead Protection Grant application (pdf file)
  Grant Project Extension Request Form (pdf file)
  

• Sanitary Well Seal Cap Program - Program to partially fund the installation of sanitary well caps for public water systems without sanitary well seal caps on their groundwater well sources.

  Eligibility
  Public Water Systems without sanitary well seal caps on their groundwater source.
  Description
  Public Water Systems (PWS) without sanitary well seal caps are eligible for reimbursement for up to 75% of the cost of the installation (up to $250 per PWS) of a locking sanitary well seal under this program. Payment shall be made on a reimbursement basis, after the Drinking Water Program (DWP) has verified that the PWS has properly installed a sanitary well seal. Qualifying costs are limited to the purchase and installation of a locking sanitary well seal of an approved design by the DWP.
  Funds Available
  Up to 75% of the cost of installation, up to $250 per PWS
  Contact
  Sarah Flanagan, (207) 287-5678
  Resources
  Sanitary Seal Well Cap Program (pdf file)