The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $284 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to DeKalb County, Ga. to help finance its Water Infrastructure Renewal Program.
“Water is essential to everything we do. We must upgrade old, outdated water infrastructure like we see here in DeKalb County to protect public health and the environment while helping communities grow toward a bright future,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “With this EPA funding, Dekalb County will see critical infrastructure upgrades to secure clean and safe drinking water while saving money.”
The Water Infrastructure Renewal Program will upgrade DeKalb County’s aging drinking water distribution system. The program includes replacing water pipes in the distribution system to address water main breaks. The program is also upgrading the disinfection system, adding backup power, and replacing water storage tanks to increase capacity.
By investing in a modernization project to upgrade the existing drinking water infrastructure, DeKalb County hopes to enhance the resiliency of the system and be able to reliably provide water service to the community well into the future.
“On behalf of the DeKalb Board of Commissioners and the residents of the county, I would like to thank EPA for being a trusted partner and supporter of our efforts to ensure safe, high-quality drinking water for years to come,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “The capital improvements that will be made with these funds will also protect public health and safety, provide sustainable growth, and save ratepayers millions of dollars.”
DeKalb County will save over $60 million by financing with WIFIA loans. Construction is expected to be completed in 2028, and construction and operation are expected to create close to 2,000 jobs.
