Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) toured the town of Ayer’s new Spectacle Pond Water Treatment Plant, which was made possible with federal American Rescue Plan funds. The facility, which opened at the start of 2023, will specifically tackle PFAS contaminants in the town’s drinking water.

The Town of Ayer allocated $1.3 Million of its American Rescue Plan funds to address critical water infrastructure concerns, including $600,000 for the transmission line for the new Spectacle Pond Water Treatment Plant and $700,000 for the Westford Road Water and Sewer Main. Thanks to the federal funds, both of these projects were completed expeditiously in late 2022.

“Water infrastructure has been a top priority for me in Washington. From PFAS contaminants to sewage overflows, I’ve fought for the federal funding necessary to clean up our drinking water and preserve our rivers,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I was delighted to tour the Spectacle Pond Water Treatment Plant and see the town of Ayer using federal funds from the American Rescue Plan to address these challenges urgently. I’m grateful to the Town’s leadership for prioritizing this important project, and I look forward to working with them and members of our state delegation to make Ayer an even better place to call home.”

“The American Rescue Plan funds for these vital infrastructure projects have filled a critical funding gap for the Town. Without these federal funds, the Town of Ayer would have had to directly fund these projects at a cost of $1.3 million,” said Robert Pontbriand, Ayer Town Manager.

Trahan was joined by State Representative Dan Sena, Robert Pontbriand, Ayer Town Manager, Dan Van Schalkwyk, Ayer Director of Public Works, Kimberly Abraham, Ayer Water and Sewer Superintendent, and Shaun Copeland, Ayer Select Board Vice Chair.

“This new water treatment plant represents an important step forward in addressing water infrastructure issues. Clean and safe water should be available to everyone. This plant furthers that goal,” said State Representative Dan Sena. “I appreciate the work Congresswoman Trahan did to secure this funding and look forward to continued collaboration with her and local leaders.” 

Trahan has remained an unwavering advocate for bold action on PFAS and championed the PFAS Action Act of 2021 through the Energy and Commerce Committee and to House passage. The legislation also garnered the support of the Biden-Harris administration. She has also secured federal funding for local efforts to clean up local PFAS contaminations in Hudson and Littleton.

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