The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates the five-year cost of cleaning up Vermont waters is about $154 million.
The figure was contained in the 2012 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey that compiles 2012 data for wastewater and stormwater projects planned for the five years following the survey. The nationwide figure for the same period is $271 billion.
Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Alyssa Schuren says that if anything, the EPA survey understates the cost of restoring and enhancing Vermont waters.
Both the EPA and state of Vermont contribute money to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which provides low-interest loans to municipalities for clean water projects such as upgrades to waste water treatment plants.
The state of Vermont is also working on projects to reduce pollution from agricultural sources and roadways.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.