Sturbridge Awarded a Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan of $16,989,000
Contact: Kate Cohen
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 25, 2010
BREWER AND SMOLA ANNOUNCE STATE
REVOLVING FUND AWARD FOR STURBRIDGE
Boston, MA – Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) and Representative Todd M. Smola (R-Palmer) announced today that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan of $16,989,000 to the Town of Sturbridge.
The Clean Water SRF will fund the Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade project, which is necessary to meet future, more stringent National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations and to accommodate the expansion of the Town’s municipal sewer system as recommended by the 2008 Sturbridge Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan. The project will upgrade the facility to treat 1.3 million gallons per day (MGD).
“This SRF award will provide better protection of public and private water supplies near the Quinebaug River, as well as alleviate problems with failing and poorly functioning septic systems,” said Senator Brewer. “I applaud Sturbridge officials for aggressively pursuing this funding, which will not only benefit residents for years to come, but will create jobs and help the local economy now.”
“This is great news for the Town,” said Representative Smola. “This funding will enable the system to operate more efficiently and cleanly.”
The SRF 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