BINGHAM — The water district will be updating its distribution system with a million dollars in federal money.

The money comes from a $600,000 loan and a $400,000 grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development office on Thursday.

“This is just the beginning part of a months long project,” said Jack Lord, chairman of the Bingham Water District Board of Trustees.

He said that the district has asked for bids from contractors for the project and is waiting to hear back.

He said the water mains that will be replaced are close to 100 years old and run from Goodwin Street to Jackson Brook. They have caused problems with water pressure in the past, he said.

Virginia Manuel, state director of rural development for the Agriculture Department, said that many small towns across Maine have water mains that are close to 100 years old and have built up bacteria as a result of corrosion. New water main systems she said are designed to last about 80 to 100 years.

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Manuel said that replacing the water mains, which serve about 400 people in the town, will provide access to cleaner drinking water.

Lord said public safety will improve because fire hydrants will be supplied through the new water mains.

He said the district would like to see work on the project begin in the spring and conclude by mid-summer.

Rachel Ohm — 612-2368
rohm@mainetoday.com


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