Maine DWP Update: Funding for Generators

Does Your Water System Need a Back-up Power Supply?

Earlier this year, the Maine Drinking Water Program (DWP) conducted a vulnerability survey of community public water supplies. The data gathered by that survey showed that a significant number of water systems in the state of Maine lack redundant power supplies.  At the same time, when water systems ranked their most critical item for resiliency, a generator was at the top of the list.

Although the Drinking Water Program does not currently have a grant program that supports back-up power supply needs, systems can apply for a low-interest State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) project loan (with some principal forgiveness for disadvantaged communities) to get a generator installed.

At the same time, the DWP has learned that the Maine and Federal Emergency Management Agencies (MEMA and FEMA, respectively) have grants available to help utilities acquire back-up power supply generators.  These grants can cover 75% of the cost of a generator, while disadvantaged communities can get 90% of their project costs covered.  (For more information on ‘disadvantaged communities’, see below.)

FEMA Grants

    Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant

• See attachment for more grant details
• Application deadline to apply to the State Hazard Mitigation Officer:  January 15, 2024
• Please contact hmagrants@maine.gov for grant eligibility checks, project inquiries, application, and application details

    Hazard Mitigation Program Grants

• See attachment for more grant details
• Application deadline to submit to the State Hazard Mitigation Officer is February 22, 2024
• Please contact hmagrants@maine.gov for grant eligibility checks, project inquiries, application, and application details.

Is Your Community Disadvantaged?

Economically Disadvantaged Rural Communities (EDRC) are communities with populations of 3,000 or fewer and whose residents earn an average annual income of no more than 80% of the national per-capita income.  These communities have a local unemployment rate that exceeds, by 1 percentage point or more, the most recently reported average yearly national unemployment rate.  The US Bureau of Labor Statistics' website will provide current unemployment information. 

Alternately, communities that are located in a Community Disaster Resilience Zone are also considered ‘disadvantaged’.  In Maine, parts of Washington County are in such a zone; use this map to see if your water system meets this requirement.

Types of Generators

The grants allow water systems the discretion to determine the type of generator they need to have installed.  From a drinking water and source protection standpoint, the DWP strongly recommends and encourages installing propane generators instead of gas-powered, as they reduce the likelihood of spills or fuel leaks in the future.

Not sure you have the time or capacity to apply?

Planning is one of the best ways to help your water system avoid unexpected problems and costly remedies.  By taking the time to prepare now, fewer resources will likely be needed for responding to future emergencies.  

MEMA can provide technical assistance to help with the application process.

Attachments

• FEMA HMGP Fact Sheet.pdf
• FEMA BRIC Fact Sheet.pdf

 

URLs

    Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

• Community Disaster Resilience Zones: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/3fdfd0639ba0403e9414d05654449d32/page/Home/

    Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)

• Maine Prepares: https://www.maine.gov/mema/maine-prepares

    U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 

• Economy at a Glance: https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.us.htm 

    Maine CDC Drinking Water Program

• Home: www.medwp.com
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF): https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/dwp/pws/srf.shtml