Wareham now has $75,000 more to help protect the quality of its water.

The Environmental Protection Agency has provided the $75,000 grant, which will help to lower the amount of nitrogen discharged into local waterways by the town Water Pollution Control District.

Wareham was one of the many grant recipients Wednesday when local, state, and federal officials met at a press conference in Besse Park to announce the creation of the Southeast New England Coastal Watershed Restoration Program. The initiative is a collaborative effort at all levels of government to protect water quality, habitat and coastal environments in Southeast Coastal New England.

"We want to get down the amount of nitrogen as low as we can," said Guy Campinha, director of the Wareham Water Pollution Control Facility.

Excess levels of nitrogen in wastewater can lead to overgrowth of weeds and algae, which leads to the deoxygenation and the loss of fish and wildlife.

Campinha said the grant money will help fund equipment that ties into the existing computer system at the sewer plant and will optimize the nitrogen monitoring process.

"One area where I'm proud to say that Wareham shines, and in most instances we outshine other communities along Buzzards Bay, is in our commitment to improving water quality," said Selectman Peter Teitelbaum.

Teitelbaum said the program will cost $112,000 with $75,000 coming from the grant and $37,000 coming from the Sewer Enterprise Fund, at no extra cost to the taxpayers.