Baker-Polito Administration Awards $385,000 to 10 Communities to Develop Asset Management Plans to Help Minimize System Failures
BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration has awarded $385,000 in grants to 10 communities to complete Asset Management Plans that will enhance the long-term operation and maintenance of their drinking water, wastewater or stormwater systems. The grant program is being administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).
The city of Haverhill was granted $40,000 to assess 35 wastewater pumping stations, evaluate existing conditions and develop a 20-year capital plan for improvements to these critical assets.
“This grant will allow the city to assess our water and sewer infrastructure and ensure that we are prepared for the future,” said State Representative Brian S. Dempsey (D-Haverhill). “A clear assessment and better understanding of our existing infrastructure will allow us to make important environmental improvements and address necessary upgrades.”
The City of Lawrence was granted $40,000 The grant will be utilized to evaluate the city’s stormwater system by inspecting up to 50 manholes and prepare a complete inventory.
“Every day, the public relies on local drinking water and sewer systems to function seamlessly. So when one of these systems fails, it has a major impact on residents and their daily lives,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These planning grants will help to avert a crisis before it happens.”
Senator Ives agreed, saying, “This state grant will assist Haverhill in the effort to upgrade the city’s wastewater facilities, and I appreciate the Administration’s focus on investing in water quality.”
“This important MassDEP Asset Management Plan grant to the City of Haverhill will be greatly beneficial in supporting key wastewater improvements,” said State Representative Diana DiZoglio.
Asset management is important to identify critical equipment for regular replacement or rehabilitation and outlines the time frame and costs involved with that work. The grants can also be used for wastewater management planning. This allows the public utility to minimize interruptions and lowers the possibility of a catastrophic system failure.
Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matt Beaton said that by properly managing the operations for the future, local municipalities help to protect our natural resources, reduce costs for the consumer and significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.”
Other Communities receiving the Asset Management Plan grants:
Carver – $27,400. The grant will be used by the North Carver Water District to create a computerized asset management plan for the drinking water system.
Brockton – $40,000. The city will utilize the grant to create a complete inventory of assets for the entire wastewater system.
Fall River – $40,000. The city will utilize the grant to further evaluate drinking water, wastewater and stormwater assets and develop a fully functioning asset management program, for budgeting and equipment replacement.
Marion – $40,000. The grant will prepare the first phase of asset management, and complete the collection of data on the wastewater treatment facility and pumping stations.
New Bedford – $40,000. The city will utilize the grant to complete a fiscal sustainability plan for their wastewater infrastructure assets.
Southampton – $37,600. The community’s water works system will be inventoried and fiscal spending plans will be developed for replacement and rehabilitation of equipment, prior to failure.
Walpole – $40,000. The grant will be used to develop an inventory of the drinking water system’s major components and develop a weighted system to prioritize equipment and processes for regular replacement and rehabilitation.
Wareham – $40,000. This water district will inventory and prioritize water works assets to develop spending plans for regular equipment replacement and rehabilitation.
“Few things are more essential to the health of a community than ensuring clean and usable drinking water and these funds are critical to providing necessary upgrades to water infrastructure in Haverhill and throughout the Commonwealth,” said State Representative Linda Dean Campbell (D-Methuen).
“It goes without saying that water is the most precious of our resources,” said State Representative Lenny Mirra (R-West Newbury). “These grants are critical in modernizing our aging wastewater and stormwater infrastructure as well as ensuring clean drinking water for our citizens. I praise the Administration as well as these communities for their dedication in handling these difficult problems.”
For more information on the Asset Management planning program, turn here:http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/water/grants/water-infrastructure-assessment-and-planning-grants.html
MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.