PHILADELPHIA, AUG 3, 2017 -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it has approved and helped fund a $56.5 million plan by West Virginia to implement key water infrastructure projects, including new and upgraded wastewater treatment plants to better serve residents, increase efficiency and reduce pollution.
The Intended Use Plan includes an award of $20.66 million from EPA's FY 2017 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The plan by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is also funded with a $4.1 million state match, repayments from prior CWSRF loans, and interest earnings.
"Restoring our nation's water infrastructure is one of President Trump's and EPA's top priorities because all Americans deserve clean water," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.
The projects targeted for funding in the state's CWSRF plan include:
- $4,045,000 to the Town of Belleto replace its existing wastewater treatment plant and upgrade the main pump station in Kanawha County.
- $3,404,539 to the City of Benwoodto install a new sanitary sewer system with the existing combined sewer system left in place to serve as a storm drainage system in Marshall County.
-$3,359,674 to the Central Boaz Public Service District (PSD) to construct a pressure sewer system and upgrade the existing wastewater treatment plant in Wood County.
- $10,878,500 to the Greater Harrison County PSDto install a gravity sewer collection system, pump stations, force mains and construction of a new 100,000 gallons-per-day wastewater treatment plant in Harrison County. Areas served include Clarksburg Country Club, Laurel Park, and Route 73.
- $5,900,000 to the Hancock County PSDto collect semi-treated or non-treated wastewater and transport it to the City of Chester publicly-owned treatment works for treatment and final disposal. The project will serve 160 users along U.S. Rt. 30 and the West Virginia-Pennsylvania state line.
- $2,599,779 to the Harpers Ferry-Bolivar PSD to upgrade its existing wastewater treatment system in Jefferson County.
- $991,570 to the Montgomery Sanitary Boardto upgrade and relocate the Sixth Avenue Sewage pumping station in Montgomery, Kanawha County.
- $14 million to the City of Oak Hillto consolidate the Arbuckle PSD into the Oak Hill Sanitary Board (OHSB) system and construct a sewer pumping station to transport flows from the existing Arbuckle wastewater treatment plant to the OHSB plant. Funds would also be used to rehabilitate the OHSB collection system, and upgrade two existing OHSB treatment plants in Fayette County.
"These infrastructure projects are vital to the public health of our communities," said WVDEP Cabinet Secretary Austin Caperton "In many cases, if not for this revolving loan fund, these improvements would never happen and the infrastructure would continue to deteriorate. Our West Virginia communities deserve better and this revolving loan fund helps to ensure that these projects can move forward."
The CWSRF program provides low interest loans for the construction of wastewater treatment facilities and other projects vital to protecting and improving water quality in rivers, lakes and streams for drinking water, recreation and natural habitat. The loans help communities keep water and sewer rates more affordable while addressing local water quality problems.
For more information about EPA's Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program: https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf
