Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced April 22 that Wiscasset is getting $1.2 million in federal funding to pay for a new clean-water project that will upgrade some of the town's pump stations and replace water and sewer lines on Birch Point Road and in downtown Wiscasset.

"This funding is going to make it possible for Wiscasset to make some much-needed upgrades to pumping stations to increase their capacity and replace an old water and sewer line," Pingree said. "Not only does that help maintain clean-water supplies in Wiscasset, it will bring work to local contractors and give local taxpayers a bit of a break."

Some of the water and sewer lines are over 40 years old and the pumping stations are over 30 years old and in need of replacement. Town officials say the work will go out for a bid right away and they hope to start work early this summer.

The funding, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, comes in the form of a $750,000 loan guarantee and a $450,000 grant.

USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel said, “The $1.2 million in funds being provided by USDA Rural Development to Wiscasset Water District today will assist with upgrading aging equipment to ensure quality drinking water to the residents on the system in the three communities served which are Wiscasset, Edgecomb (Davis Island), and Woolwich.”