The Wareham Fire District Water Department accepted a $204,250 state grant on Tuesday to purchase 35 acres of land for ground water protection.

"It's the third grant we've received in the last 12 years. With that money and the money the district has appropriated for us we've purchased almost 300 acres for new wells and the protection of existing wells," said Michael Martin, superintendent of the water department.

In April, district voters appropriated $550,000 for the purchase of up to 70 acres of land to provide protection for the existing Maple Springs well field and the new Maple Park well field.

Martin said the district purchased the first 35 acres for $350,000 earlier this year. Last month the district applied for a grant to the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to purchase the additional 35 acres.

"When the district and town voters appropriated the money the state knew we were serious about protecting the land," Martin said. "The voters have expressed for awhile they want to keep land away from development and leave that land for open space."