Press Releases

Maine First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today announced $1 million for the Town of Limerick to restore access to clean drinking water to its residents. The Community Project Funding, secured by Pingree in the Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations bill, will be used by the Limerick Water and Sewer District to replace outdated and dangerous sewer and water mains in the Hollandville neighborhood. 

“Access to clean drinking water is a basic human right. But whether it is contamination from aging sewage or lead pipes , far too many people across Maine and across the country do not have a safe water source,” said Pingree. “The solution to ensuring clean drinking water for the residents of Limerick is a simple one: replace the pipes putting residents at risk.”

"The Town of Limerick very much appreciates Representative Pingree's work to acquire a $1 million grant for a much needed water and sewer line replacement project. The lives of many residents will be greatly improved because of her efforts,” Limerick Select Board Chair John Medici said. 

The Limerick Water and Sewer District operates and maintains both the public water and sewer systems in Limerick. Installed in 1920, the current sewer mains were constructed near or beneath the water mains, posing a serious health risk to residents in the Hollandville neighborhood who must currently purchase bottled water for drinking and cooking. This places undue financial burden on residents of this area, 65% of which were documented as low to moderate income households in a recent income survey. Through this project, the District will address the serious risk of contaminated drinking water, reduce potential lead exposure, and improve fire protection, resulting in neighborhood revitalization and benefits to the entire community. 

The funded project includes the replacement of water and sewer mains on the following streets:

• Wescott Street–750 feet of sewer main and 825 feet of water main
• Maple Street–350 feet of sewer main and 1,100 feet of water main
• Prospect Street–1,300 feet of water main

Across Maine and the U.S., communities face threats to their drinking water from a number of contaminants, including lead, arsenic, nitrates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PFOA, PFOS, hexavalent chromium-6, and others. 

In June, Pingree introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act, or The Healthy H2O Act, to provide grants for water testing and treatment technology directly to individuals, non-profits, and local governments in rural communities. 

Pingree has been a member of the House Appropriations Committee since 2013 and currently serves as Chair of the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

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