Letter: Shoring up our water infrastructure

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 10, 2024

An April EPA survey found that Maine’s clean water systems need nearly $4 billion over 20 years — about $3,000 per person, the 11th highest per capita spending by state. Those needs have more than tripled over the last decade. Unfortunately, a spending bill currently proposed in the House calls for a massive 25% cut to critical clean water programs. These misguided cuts target the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) programs — the backbone of our nation’s water infrastructure. I hope Rep. Chellie Pingree and others will co-sponsor the WATER Act (HR 1729), a commonsense bill that would provide dedicated annual funding for safe, clean water for all. ~ Chrystina Gastelum, Biddeford