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Combined Sewer Overflow Program

The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation will issue grants from our ARPA allocations to municipalities to accelerate CSO elimination projects, allowing these projects to progress on a faster schedule and with more affordability to the ratepayers. The allocations have been outlined in the State Fiscal Year 2023 Intended Use Plan and will be able to be used towards CSO abatement projects submitted for the project priority list.

Eligibility

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) are overflow points in combined sewer systems that are designed to carry both stormwater and wastewater. Sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) are overflow points in sewer systems not designed to carry stormwater but suffer from high rates of inflow and infiltration that result in overflows during large storm events. Both CSOs and SSOs are eligible for this funding. 

Projects considered for ARPA support must be proposed in conjunction with the State’s Priority Project List and Intended Use Plan process. Municipalities with existing CSOs and municipalities where CSOs have been abated but additional work remains are eligible for funding. These grants will complement existing local and state funding sources. 

Qualifying projects must be in communities that have an administrative order or NPDES permit that identifies CSO or SSO discharge point(s), and projects must contribute towards CSO or SSO abatement or elimination.   

Equity Considerations

ARPA funds will help disadvantaged communities address the public health and economic crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and help protect them from future crises. ARPA funding will be prioritized to help CSO communities. CSO communities carry higher debt burdens than communities that have separate stormwater systems and this creates a hardship for ratepayers and the development of other necessary infrastructure projects.   

The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation will prioritize inclusion and engagement with under-represented groups to advance environmental justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion through design and delivery. 

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