Spencer Awarded Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan of $7,411,500
Contact: Kate Cohen
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 25, 2010
BREWER, GOBI AND ALICEA ANNOUNCE
STATE REVOLVING FUND AWARD FOR SPENCER
Boston, MA – Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre), Representative Anne M. Gobi (D-Spencer) and Representative Geraldo Alicea (D-Charlton) announced today that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan of $7,411,500 to the Town of Spencer.
The Drinking Water SRF loan will construct a two-zone pressure system, installation of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, and a water system capital improvement plan. The two-zone pressure system will be established by the construction of a new water storage tank, well station improvements, a new booster pump station, and water distribution improvements. The two-zone pressure system will allow for safer and more reliable operation of the distribution system. A SCADA system will be installed at all water facilities in order to automate the operations of the water system and monitor the alarms. The water system capital improvement plan will provide the town with a long range planning tool to ensure that facilities are maintained and that high quality water is provided to the town.
“The SRF will allow Spencer to move forward with making critical improvements to its water delivery system,” said Senator Brewer. “The award will not only ensure safe drinking water for residents in the future, but it will create much needed jobs right now.”
“These funds will continue to have a positive impact providing the community a safe and reliable water system,” stated Representative Gobi.
“I commend the Town of Spencer for taking the initiative to apply for this SRF loan, which will enable the town to make essential improvements to its water delivery system, ultimately ensuring that the residents of Spencer have a clean and reliable source of drinking water for years to come,” said Representative Alicea.
The State Revolving Fund is funded through the state and federal government and managed at the state level. It provides low-interest (2%) loans for cities and towns to finance expensive capital improvements to their water infrastructure. This includes wastewater projects like treatment facilities and combined sewer overflow improvements, as well as drinking water projects like drinking water pumps, mains, pipes, and facilities. This year, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is financing $185 million of the nearly $800 million SRF projects statewide. The ARRA funds will lower costs to cities and towns by providing principle forgiveness, which will reduce the amount financed by 11 percent for wastewater projects and 20 percent for drinking water projects.
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Posted: Tue, Jan 26, 2010
Updated Tue, Jan 26, 2010