Bill > S460

This bill aims to improve municipal water infrastructure by establishing the Municipal Water Infrastructure Trust Fund. The key provisions are: 1. The bill amends existing law to allow the Water Pollution Abatement Trust to expend money from the Municipal Water Infrastructure Trust Fund for municipal or regional water infrastructure projects. 2. The Municipal Water Infrastructure Trust Fund will be funded by a $0.70 per 1,000 gallons assessment on the amount of water withdrawn by each municipality in the previous fiscal year. Three-quarters of the funds collected will be distributed back to municipalities proportionally based on their water usage, and one-quarter will go to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. 3. Municipalities receiving funds must submit annual reports detailing how the money was used for water infrastructure projects, which the Department of Environmental Protection will compile and post online. 4. The Department of Environmental Protection is also required to promulgate regulations to ensure the security of public water systems by requiring the complete enclosure of any wellheads that are part of the public water system.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S460