Monson Awarded a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan of $313,712

 

Contact: Kate Cohen                                                        
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 25, 2010
 
 
BREWER ANNOUNCES STATE REVOLVING FUND AWARD FOR MONSON
 
Boston, MA – Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) announced today that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan of $313,712 to the Town of Monson.  
 
The Drinking Water SRF loan will allow Monson to construct a new well house at the Bethany Road well, equipped with corrosion control, intrusion alarms, telemetry, and fencing. In addition, removal of the existing diesel generator and fuel tank from the site will eliminate a potential contaminant hazard. The upgrading of this site will allow the effective use of the well and the addition of metering will allow the Town to better monitor for unaccounted water. The SRF loan will also be used to construct a new 0.5-million gallon water storage tank. Construction of the new tank will provide the town with redundancy and additional capacity, thus allowing the only other storage tank to be cleaned and rehabilitated.
 
“The SRF will allow Monson to increase security for its drinking water supply, while increasing capacity will provide safeguards against potential shortages,” said Senator Brewer, “The award will not only ensure safe drinking water for residents in the future, but it will create much needed jobs right now.”  
 
The SRF is funded through the state and federal government and managed at the state level.  It provides low-interest (2%) loans for cities and towns to finance expensive capital improvements to their water infrastructure.  This includes wastewater projects like treatment facilities and combined sewer overflow improvements, as well as drinking water projects like drinking water pumps, mains, pipes, and facilities. This year, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is financing $185 million of the nearly $800 million SRF projects statewide. The ARRA funds will lower costs to cities and towns by providing principle forgiveness, which will reduce the amount financed by 11 percent for wastewater projects and 20 percent for drinking water projects.
 
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Posted: Tue, Jan 26, 2010
Updated Tue, Jan 26, 2010