BOSTON – Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) and Representative Geraldo Alicea (D-Charlton) announced today that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan of $2,827,276 and a Drinking Water SRF loan of $1,565,250 to the Town of Charlton. 

The Clean Water SRF will be used to upgrade the Charlton wastewater treatment plant in order to provide increased capacity for the existing sewer service area, as well as to comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements for allowable concentrations of ammonia, phosphorus, aluminum and copper. The Drinking Water SRF loan will be used to construct approximately 6,000 feet of new water main on North Main Street. The project is part of an ongoing program of the Water and Sewer Commission to protect public health from contaminated well water throughout the town. 

“These awards are a step toward providing every resident in town with access to clean tap water and with complying with federal standards for treating wastewater,” said Senator Brewer, “I commend the town for pursuing funding through the SRF program.” 

“This is great news for the Town of Charlton and its residents. With this SRF award, the town will be able to finally move forward with its water main project which will help to provide and ensure that the residents of Charlton have clean drinking water for years to come” said Representative Alicea. "I cannot think of a more worthwhile investment."

The State Revolving Fund 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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