Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced today that work has commenced on schedule on $68 million in federally funded upgrades for public drinking water and wastewater treatment for cities and towns around the state.

            “All of these projects have significant public health benefits and bolster our continued investment in safe public drinking water and cleaner rivers and streams,” Governor Rell said. “Just as importantly, design and construction at each and every one of these sites are providing jobs.”

            The state departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Public Health (DPH), working with the state Treasurer’s Office, were able to get all the projects underway prior to the federally mandated February 17 deadline. The stimulus law requires that priority be given to those projects ready for actual construction within 12 months of the bill’s enactment date of February 17, 2009.

            The Governor said $17.5 million in stimulus funds were applied to 12 public drinking water projects in Ridgefield, Plainfield, Putnam, Brookfield, East Lyme, Tolland, Greater Hartford, Manchester, Woodbury and Norwich. (Complete list attached.)

            The state DPH approved the projects and is administering the funds through its existing Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program.

            The Metropolitan District Commission, which supplies water to 16 cities and towns in the greater Hartford area, will use about $46 million in stimulus funds to upgrade aging sewers overflow infrastructure. The MDC will also apply part of the funds to an energy-efficient heat recovery energy generation system. The DEP has approved the projects and is administering the federal monies through its Clean Water Fund (CWF).

            For more information on these projects or the stimulus in Connecticut, visit the state’s official stimulus Web site at www.ct.gov and click on the CT Recovery link.