Senators Kennedy, Kerry Announce $185M For Massachusetts’ Water Pollution Abatement Trust

May 27, 2009 -- BOSTON, MA – Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry announced today that The Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust will receive $185 million in funds through the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Clean Water State Revolving Fund” and the “Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.” The funds were made available through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009.

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund has awarded $133 million to promote and protect water quality protection projects in Massachusetts through wastewater treatment, pollution control, and watershed and estuary management. In addition, The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund has also provided $52 million to sponsor clean and safe drinking water throughout the Commonwealth.

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Senator Kennedy said, “It is vital to provide clean drinking water to our citizens and to protect our Commonwealth’s water resources. This federal funding will not only ensure that our communities receive clean water, but will also go a long way towards supporting innovative environmental projects and protecting the health of our commonwealth’s families.”

“Providing clean, safe drinking water to our communities, as well as constantly monitoring our state’s watersheds, estuaries and wastewater systems is essential to keeping our families healthy and is vital to protecting our environment. This important investment will provide a much needed economic boost to cities and towns across Massachusetts, while allowing us to maintain our state’s excellent track record in ensuring water quality,” said Senator Kerry.

Nationally, these two funds provide state agencies with federal funding to support water pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring clean water and safe drinking water.

For more information on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund please visit http://www.epa.gov/owmitnet/cwfinance/cwsrf/. For more information on the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund please visit http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwsrf/index.html. You can find information about the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust at www.mass.gov.

Source: Senator Edward M. Kennedy