House Republican Press Release

October 30, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. CHAPIN: LEGISLATURE APPROVES BONDING FOR CLEAN WATER FUND

Package Ensures Needed Funding For Projects

Such As The Expansion Of New Milford’s Sewage Treatment Facility

The General Assembly today approved a bonding package that will increase funding for the state’s Clean Water Fund (CWF). The CWF provides funding for municipal sewage treatment plant projects. The package now moves to Governor M. Jodi Rell for final approval.

The package will appropriate $180 million for the fund during the next two years. Rep. Chapin noted that while state budgets have annually allocated $20 million in bonding for the expansion of sewer treatment plants in recent years, that amount has fallen at least $50 million short of what is needed for such projects throughout the state.  New Milford’s own sewer expansion project, currently in the design stage, will require these funds in the future.

"By including $180 million in this bonding package, Connecticut takes a major step forward in renewing our commitment to clean water,” said Rep. Chapin. “This funding level also helps to ensure funding will be available for New Milford's pending treatment plant upgrade."

CWF was established in 1986 to provide financial assistance to municipalities for planning, design and construction of wastewater collection and treatment projects. This program was developed to replace state and federal grant programs that had existed since the 1950s. It provides a combination of grants and loans to municipalities which undertake water pollution control projects at the direction of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Municipalities receive a grant of 20% of the total project costs and a low-interest loan for the remainder of the project costs, excluding projects which correct combined sewer overflows (CSO).