Environment Maine is urging the Legislature to approve a state bond of $15 million to aid aging and inadequate sewage treatment plants that threaten coastal water quality. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has identified approximately 12 towns throughout Maine that need state assistance.

Up and down Maine’s coast, aging wastewater treatment plants are discharging raw or partially-treated sewage into Maine’s coastal waters—threatening the health of hardy swimmers as well as the age-old livelihoods that depend upon the coast’s abundant catch.

Impacts on the public health, economy and environment
For example, Northport’s sewage treatment plant is so old, it only partially treats the sewage, which is then discharged from a pipe near a popular swimming spot. In summers when beaches have been tested for bacterial contamination, authorities have closed 17 beaches in order to protect the health of those who brave the cold waters.

In Machias alone, nearly 100 clammers have been put out of work because bacteria from the sewage plant has contaminated the flats. Around the state, the Department of Marine Resources has been forced to close 140,000 acres of clam flats due to bacterial contamination.

Coastal waters like Casco Bay are nursing grounds for lobsters, clams and numerous species of fish. Young lobsters grow up in shallow coastal waters and are particularly sensitive to pollutants and a lack of oxygen—both of which can result from discharging partially treated sewage.

Rebuilding momentum
Environment Maine, along with our coalition of plant operators, fishermen and town officials, garnered bipartisan support from the Natural Resources Committee for the $15 million bond for municipal sewage upgrades. Despite this success, the bond for wastewater improvements is held up in negotiations among legislative leaders about the amount and focus of state spending.

We can’t put it off
“Some of these facilities are in desperate shape, with equipment that is outdated or falling apart,” commented Environment Maine’s Heidi Overbeck. “If we don’t act now to fix these facilities, we run the risk of more beach and clam flat closures and a bigger price tag to repair them.”

In order to allow voters to approve the bond for wastewater upgrades on the November ballot, the Legislature must approve it before June 15. Environment Maine is continuing to meet with legislative leaders and to demonstrate broad public support for the measure.

MEMBER ACTION:
Sign up for e-mail issue alerts: