Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $131 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the Orange County Water District (OCWD) to help remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from drinking water sourced from local groundwater.
In 2020, dozens of wells that pump water from the Orange County Groundwater Basin were removed from service after the state of California lowered the Response Level advisories of two PFAS chemicals, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Consequently, local water suppliers had to rely on more costly and less reliable imported water from Northern California and the Colorado River in order to meet the needs of their customers.
OCWD’s PFAS Facilities Treatment Project is ensuring a safe and reliable drinking water source by building water treatment plants within the county. Under this new project, thirty-five PFAS treatment systems for 59 impacted wells operated by 11 cities and retail water districts within OCWD’s service area are being designed, permitted, and constructed within two years. The project will improve drinking water quality by removing PFOA and PFOS found in groundwater supplied by the wells.
“This investment in water infrastructure will address PFAS in drinking water while revitalizing water supplies that are essential in a drought-prone area,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “This innovative project will be good for the local economy and result in a safer water supply for Orange County and improved water quality for residents.”
The $131 million WIFIA loan is expected to finance nearly half of all up-front project costs, which are currently estimated at $267 million. The remaining up-front project costs will be funded by borrower cash. This WIFIA loan is expected to save OCWD approximately $26 million over alternative financing options. Project construction and operation are expected to create an estimated 800 jobs and construction is expected to be completed by spring 2023.
With this WIFIA loan closing, EPA has announced 57 WIFIA loans that are providing nearly $11 billion in credit assistance to help finance approximately over $23 billion for water infrastructure while creating approximately 63,000 jobs and saving ratepayers over $4 billion.
SOURCE: Environmental Protection Agency
